76 Reasons to be Thankful
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We recently traveled to northern Arizona on the east edge of the Grand Canyon to help distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to Julia and other Elders in Cameron.
The facility serves daily meals Monday through Friday to the senior citizens of the community. They also provide a space for socializing and activities, which is so important for people of all ages.
Julia has ten children and her grandchild tally is at a whopping 76 to date! She currently serves as the President of the Senior Council for the Cameron area, which is located in the Western Agency of Navajo Nation.
She shared that she was a rug and bead weaver years ago, but had to stop because the material for the craft was out of her reach. She ran out of her supply.
She lives with her youngest son, who has Downs’s syndrome. Together they support one another from each other's income. Julia’s husband passed away ten years ago, but his railroad commission continues to help. Her son receives a monthly stipend for his disability.
They live seven miles from the Senior Center and typically do their shopping in Flagstaff — which is about an hour south — for their groceries. Tuba City is much closer, but the food is expensive.
For Thanksgiving, they will be traveling to her daughter's residence in Tuba City. A few of Julia’s children will meet them there for dinner. She said their specialty was Blue Corn Mush and Steam Corn.
Julia was very thankful for the Individual meals provided to the Elders of the community. She soon proved that she had a big heart, though. She was the first to give her meal up when she heard the center’s director share they were short one meal for one of the new enrollees. Apparently, after the center had submitted the Thanksgiving request, the news traveled and their enrollment increased.
Thanksgiving is about family, friends, giving, and giving thanks. Thank you, Julia, for your generosity!