Dinner

The dinner for the Men, David takes care of went Great.
Great with a few exceptions but those exceptions were man made or should I say, Woman Made.
I made a huge dinner of

 Glazed Spiral Ham, (10 lb)

Creamed yams with orange glaze,

Green beans drained and simmered slowly with browned bacon. seasoned with Salt and Pepper.

Fruit salad with tropical fruit and Dream whip.

Rolls, 

Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream

Dave and I donated  huge tray of cookies, candy,  and Cranberry Bliss Bars. (my daughters recipe)

I arrived early to set the tables up. David had put my table cloths on them and set up the food table with my red table cloth.
It looked really nice. I spread gold chains and candles on each table to give it a festive mood.
A tree was suspended on a table using fishing line. It was made entirely of ornaments and I found it enchanting.

The guys loved the food so much, I kept hearing "this is the Best food I ever had"
Of course I am sure it was some rehearsed but it still felt good.
Ri the younger, young man, (he calls David Grandpa) leaned over to look at me and said,
"Susie, Can I call David Grandpa."
I said, "Absolutely you can, He actually loves it"
He was so happy. He kept laughing and saying, "I can call you Grandpa, I love you Grandpa"
I told David he just made a young mans Christmas.
Ry (high function autistic but we love him) was so sweet that day.
R usually walks around playing video games and he sees not much out of his realm. First time I met him he barely spoke until I discovered his game and knew that was his interest. We became instant friends.
Both of these young men came in to see me as soon as they knew I was there.

To culminate the dinner, we had a super surprise. It warmed my heart.
R, the 24 year old Autistic, Said, "I think we need a toast." When we all agreed, he raised his glass  and said, "I am thankful for the Day Program and the food and I want to toast to a long and sunlight filled  life to Dave and Sue"
"Here Here" was heard from all over the room and it was the sweetest thing ever to happen to us.

Now that made my day,  my week, my year.

The negatives, well they are gone now but once you get under my southern skin about handing out food, You are on my bad side.
 Food was being limited and I resented that as I made plenty.
In fact food was taken to the houses that night for another dinner.
Food to a Southerner is NEVER an issue. We never say, "Finish what you have first" (green beans)
After all we see food as comfort and happiness and a basic human need.
When I heard that, my hackles raised and I told David, "Ry Wants more ham. Please"
He took care of the situation but I was ranting to David when he came home.
He knew how I felt about handing out food.
One staff even went as far as to say, "They are Grandparents. they treat them like they are 5 years old and they spoil their grandchildren"
I responded with "You bet I do, and love every minute of it"
One past manager , (who also left to bring her sis over for dinner  (both uninvited) and threw us really late) wanted to take 4 plates of food home. Now that was not in the cards either. This food was for the less fortunate.
She could make her own. They could not.
The manager said, "No it goes to the house"
Yea Boss!!!!!

So with all the stress going on I felt lighter for taking care of these sweet, underprivileged men and boys.

All they need is Love.

All they need is Love, Love,

All they need is Love.

AND COMPASSION.
I Thank God daily for giving me a heart to serve.

P.S. The entire meal cost $75. and it served over 25 people. Not bad for a home cooked meal.
We figured total spent was less than 3 per person.