We mothers of children with special needs have a real need to feel special ourselves on occasion. Leave it to DeeDee Pujols to come up with the most glorious occasion to bless the socks off of a group of us moms with kids with Down syndrome. We were invited to a night of cooking, talking, and feasting at the spectacular Sub-Zero showroom at Construction Appliance by Autcohome. If food is the way to a man’s heart, this night was perfectly designed to warm a woman’s heart!

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by DeeDee and presented with a darling apron made by women from the Dominican Republic, trained by the Pujols Family Foundation. The whole space had been transformed from an appliance showroom to a feminine fantasy, sparkling with candles, lavender table clothes, and flowers fit for a wedding.

As we munched on appetizers, we were divided into our cooking teams. Each group was given one of DeeDee’s favorite recipes to prepare for our southwestern themed dinner that night. My team prepared jalapeno poppers, a decadent treat filled with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon. Around the showroom other teams were preparing chicken tortilla soup, taco salads and pineapple upside down cake. There was so much laughter and chatter as strangers became friends, sharing experiences and lessons learned from our extraordinary children.

The only interruption of the night was not to answer the phone or help with homework – it was being told it was your turn with the masseuse! Under her skilled hands, she worked away my pressure points and left me a relaxed puddle of bliss.

Then it was time for us to gather at the table, festooned with more candles, satin ribbons, exquisite flower arrangements, and custom place cards – my name never looked so good! We enjoyed course after course, congratulating each team on a job deliciously done. As if this was not over the top, DeeDee presented each one of us with a fabulous prize of Pujols cookware, a makeover, or a massage. THIS was the ultimate Thanksgiving feast.

Overcome with gratitude, I asked my new friends to raise their glasses to toast DeeDee, who is one part Mother Theresa, one part Mary Poppins, and all parts empowered by the love of Jesus Christ.

Mary Suzanne Crockett
Grateful Mom of Lily