Slumber Party

After visiting Holly and her 12 housekeepers sleeping at her house (I mentioned in a past post that our first housekeeper here in China started an agency-- at first people laughed at her and told her she couldn't do it... but now she has a crew of 12, with a waiting list of families!) we were about to go home.

But while we were there, we noticed they all shared two double beds, and didn't have any heat. So the boys and I offered to take the party to our house. They politely declined, but we insisted. Then their faces lit up with the biggest smiles, and they immediately bounced up and scurried around to find proper clothes and things to bring. None of them had ever been a guest in an American's home. I told them just to come in their PJ's. They loved that!

Here they are eating and sharing stories.

Group picture! Tanner and Hunter were held the entire night. They would be spoiled brats if we kept this up! lol! After the kids were in bed, we had manicures and pedicures/foot massages etc... just like a real Slumber Party! Most of the ladies had thick calluses and scaled feet from devoting their life to the service of others in housekeeping. Some said they had never had someone touch their feet before, none less a massage and nail polish. Not a single one declined the offer! Many said "please, paint my toes, and not my hands, I don't know if I can make pot stickers for my boss if I have this on my nails". So sweet to live the simple life of constant concern for others.

Some teared up and said our little home was a 5 star hotel. And yet they were sleeping on chairs with two ottomans, trundles, twin beds, sofas etc. They originally thought I was inviting them to sleep on my floors, and they were grateful just for that...winters are cold in our humid climate.

Somehow, all 12 had a bed of their own (except one shared the queen, and another shared a trundle). We filled 5 rooms, the living room, family room, guest room, boys room and even the playroom (above). Here are pictures of a few of the rooms.

I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. These sweet ladies were so simple and happy. They were giggling with excitement. I went to bed (at midnight after we chatted up a storm) so very happy for that Thanksgiving holiday. We still missed the Daddy of our house. But we loved the feeling in our home. This Thanksgiving will never ever be forgotten. I felt like even the sofas and spare beds were grateful to be loved and appreciated that night. I felt like the heat that circulates the house was being able to be absorbed by the most deserving. These pure-hearted ladies are "one-way" tickets to the Celestial kingdom, and I was honored to be with them.