Thanksgiving Day in Monrovia, Liberia - Today is Thanksgiving Day in Liberia, the first Monday of November instead of the last Monday as we celebrate in America. Liberia has incorporated so much of America into their governmental structure and way of life – they truly do think they are the 51st state! I wish we all viewed Liberia and its dear people that way!
I am sitting outside my home here, watching so many people enjoying this holiday with friends and family by the pool and sea at the Kendeja, my home for many years here now. I am home. I am so happy to be here.
And I am musing on the power of one word – Fabulous! I have received many Thanksgiving greetings and given many today; I am feeling very blessed. The word Fabulous! has been part of all of the conversations today. Joy.
When I first arrived in Liberia on Christmas Eve 2006, there was nothing fabulous happening here. The aftermath of unbelievable war was everywhere – total destruction, yet somehow hope… I spent Christmas Day with 250+ children who had nothing, nowhere to go, nothing to celebrate. They came together in the compound of friends for food and music and laugher and celebration, despite the circumstances in their country, in their lives. And I remember squatting low to look so many children in their eyes to acknowledge them, to honor them, to love them. And I remember using the word Fabulous!
Since that Christmas Day, I have used the word Fabulous! many times here in Liberia. The Vice President now fondly refers to me as “Fabulous!” In a recent interview for my continuing documentary film work here, dear friend Dr. Angela Benson noted that she had never heard the word Fabulous! until we met earlier this year. The staff at the place where I live uses Fabulous! now for years with such joy! Our Foundation for Women team also uses Fabulous! now for years with great joy, as do many of the thousands of women we serve! Everyone who utters Fabulous! here does so with a smile and joy and hope, despite circumstances which are anything but fabulous…
The power of one word – uttered with sincerity and focused human connection – is so powerful and so life changing.
Thank you God for letting me bring Fabulous! to the people and country of Liberia! I know you see them all as fabulous; may I continue to help them believe that they are indeed fabulous!
Tremendous gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day in Liberia with love, Deborah
And I am musing on the power of one word – Fabulous! I have received many Thanksgiving greetings and given many today; I am feeling very blessed. The word Fabulous! has been part of all of the conversations today. Joy.
When I first arrived in Liberia on Christmas Eve 2006, there was nothing fabulous happening here. The aftermath of unbelievable war was everywhere – total destruction, yet somehow hope… I spent Christmas Day with 250+ children who had nothing, nowhere to go, nothing to celebrate. They came together in the compound of friends for food and music and laugher and celebration, despite the circumstances in their country, in their lives. And I remember squatting low to look so many children in their eyes to acknowledge them, to honor them, to love them. And I remember using the word Fabulous!
Since that Christmas Day, I have used the word Fabulous! many times here in Liberia. The Vice President now fondly refers to me as “Fabulous!” In a recent interview for my continuing documentary film work here, dear friend Dr. Angela Benson noted that she had never heard the word Fabulous! until we met earlier this year. The staff at the place where I live uses Fabulous! now for years with such joy! Our Foundation for Women team also uses Fabulous! now for years with great joy, as do many of the thousands of women we serve! Everyone who utters Fabulous! here does so with a smile and joy and hope, despite circumstances which are anything but fabulous…
The power of one word – uttered with sincerity and focused human connection – is so powerful and so life changing.
Thank you God for letting me bring Fabulous! to the people and country of Liberia! I know you see them all as fabulous; may I continue to help them believe that they are indeed fabulous!
Tremendous gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day in Liberia with love, Deborah
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