Thanksgiving Memories

When I was a child, one of the best Thanksgiving’s ever for me was the one I spent at the Salvation Army.

Yes, the Salvation Army. My parents decided one year instead of feeding our own faces we would help feed others. They signed up to participate in the Thanksgiving dinner offered to the homeless, the poor, and any others that could not manage to have a Thanksgiving dinner.

I knew from watching television that many places would do events such as these and you could see people standing in a line serving the community of people that would file past each one receiving a spoonful of this, a helping of that.

So when we got there I was excited to think this is what we would be doing. Instead, there were already too many volunteers there that had secured the front seat positions in serving. They had no interest in doing the cooking, the cleaning, busing the tables. And they were not shy about vocalizing that point. But my father said to the woman in charge “we’re here to work, just put us where you need us”. At first I was disappointed. I wanted to be one of those in the line serving people. You know, show up randomly on TV looking like a great humanitarian. But that wasn’t to be.

It didn’t take long for me to realize no matter what job they put me to do it was really a gift, a blessing. What I saw and experienced that day has not left me. I learned the beauty of helping others by stringing green beans by washing dishes, by mopping the floor and by taking out the trash.

Each person served there that day had a story to tell only not by voice but upon their faces. I was touched by each one and hoped in some small way the work we did there that day would bless them in the way I felt blessed.

As we finished up and the line of people slowed to a trickle, the woman in charge told us we were welcome to take plates for ourselves. As a kid, I didn’t have to be told twice, I hurried up and loaded up on each item and carefully wrapped my plate in Saran Wrap to take my treasure home with me.

Soon a new wave of people showed up, yes they were late to the party but it was obvious they were cold, and hungry. The workers had all taken plates and the line servers had left. There was very little food remaining. All but three of those people got served and the food ran out. My family and I each had a plate. My father didn’t hesitate to hand over his plate to the man, my mother gave hers to his son. Seeing this I looked at my prize I had so carefully collected and with a slight pang I handed over my plate to the woman with them. I’m not a good enough writer to describe the looks on their faces. The gratefulness in which they were so obviously filled with. I only know for certain, it did make a difference.

It was by far the best Thanksgiving I have ever had in my life. I am thankful for many things and I am blessed in many ways. Thank you mom and dad, you guys are the best examples of fine human beings and I love you both dearly.

In closing, it is my hope, my wish and my most sincere desire that you have all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families today.