"Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, baby Anna has spent all seven months of her life in the hospital. Her mom’s three-word response moved everyone in the room to tears." (Photo: CHOA) "After an admission to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Gabe expressed gratitude for something many of us take for granted: the ability to leave his bed and visit the family library." (Photo: CHOA) "Megan, who spent 150 days in the hospital during this most recent admission, found a new friend in Izzy the therapy dog." (Photo: CHOA) "Just two days after surgery. Gabrielle’s family—including Mom, Dad, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles—cheered as she left the hospital in her PJs." (Photo: CHOA) "Lara AnnaBeth is her parents’ first child. As Lara AnnaBeth recovers from heart surgery, they’ll spend their first Thanksgiving as a family in our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit." (Photo: CHOA) "Other big brothers might complain about their little brothers, but not Jacoby. Reuniting with his “very sweet” baby brother is the first thing he wants to do when he gets home." (Photo: CHOA) "A perforated appendix landed Taryn in the hospital for more than a week. She wanted to give thanks to her family and friends for filling her room with pick-me-ups, including Sparkles the stuffed unicorn." (Photo: CHOA) "Taylor underwent heart transplant surgery on her 16th birthday. Though their home is hundreds of miles away in Mississippi, her family will celebrate the gift of life from our Cardiac Stepdown Unit this Thanksgiving." (Photo: CHOA) "Baby Charlotte cannot see or hear. When she grows bigger and stronger, she will undergo cochlear implant surgery that will help her hear her mom’s voice for the first time." (Photo: CHOA) "Last month, Justin survived being struck by a moving bus. He wrote his answer without a moment’s hesitation." (Photo: CHOA) "Maylee was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in September. Her shirt reads “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” Maylee also wanted us to note that she is thankful for kitty cats and puppies." (Photo: CHOA) ATLANTA, Ga. - As we approach Thanksgiving, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta decided to ask patients and their families to share what they're most thankful for this year and the responses might bring tears to your eyes.
“These children have spent much of 2015 away from their homes, schools and playgrounds to recover from things like surgeries and life-threatening accidents,” CHOA said on its "Dedicated to All Better" blog.
Staff members at CHOA said they learned as much from what the patients did say as from what they didn’t say.
“There’s nary a mention of toys, video games, or Disney vacations.”
Some of the responses included “not dying,” “my new heart” and “going home.” The hospital said the brave children and their families teach us an important lesson this holiday season.
“If you can count good health among the things you’re grateful for this year, the rest of your worries are just the small stuff.”
Last week, the hospital captured emotional photos of the patients holding of signs stating their responses at the hospital's Egleston location. CHOA told FOX 5 News it was an incredibly eye-opening afternoon to hear what the families had to say.
Take a look at the photo gallery above and see some of the touching responses! (Photos courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
Wherever you celebrate this year, may you be surrounded by the ones you love and grateful for things big and small - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta