Thank you
‘Tis the season for giving and being thankful. We all like receiving but do we give enough? Do you pass the homeless on the street because you don’t have any change or do you buy a him a meal? Many of us don’t think we have the time or opportunity to give back, but we can start with very small acts of kindness, there is no such thing as giving too little.
I had the most amazing and life changing experience last thanksgiving. My husband volunteered as a delivery driver for a Thanksgiving food drive with Hosea Feed the Hungry. On Thanksgiving day they occupied Turner Field and set up many free services for the homeless and needy such as clothes, haircuts and salon services and most of all free hot meals. I decided to join him and I was glad that I did. Our assignment was to deliver meals to 8 homes.
With him at the wheel and me as the navigator, we made our way to the first house. What I saw left me speechless-never have I encountered such poverty. I know that poverty exists, I just didn’t know until I saw it with my own eyes. We knocked on the door and waited. A tired woman, whose face showed all the struggles and tribulations of her life, came to the door. We announced that we were here to deliver a meal and her eyes lit up. She burst into a sort of prayer, repeating over and over “Thank God Hosea remembered me, I thought they forgot about me this year” I stood there shell shocked and speechless while my husband did all the talking.
We delivered meals to 7 other homes that day, including to 2 blind elderly that lived alone, and with each knock on the door it became apparent that I was fortunate. I’ve never wanted for food, clothing, shelter or love. I had no reason to ever complain.
We were finished with our delivers around 2 pm and headed home to our Thanksgiving meal. Never was I more grateful for the spread that was prepared. I was up in arms about not finding the perfect piece of lamb for my Thanksgiving table so I settled on salmon instead, yes settled…I ate my meal and never had a second thought about the lamb. I was so just grateful to have food. I was never more aware of how lucky I was than at that moment.
So for all of us that complain about not having enough food, be thankful that you have food. Or not enough new, trendy clothes, be thankful that you have clothes that you can afford to buy. Look around you and just be thankful for all that you have.
Today I’m saying thank you to all of you who visit my blog and leave comments..or don’t. I am giving away to one lucky reader a vintage printed halter apron.*
It’s my very first giveaway so I’m super excited. The rules are simple:
1. Answer this question by leaving the answer in the comment section:
What are you most thankful for?
2. Become a fan of my Facebook
Unfortunately this contest is only open to US residents. One random winner will be selected on Wednesday, November 24th. Good luck!
*This apron is from Pier 1, but they have no idea who I am nor have any part in this giveaway.
Congratulations on your 1st giveaway and thank you for sharing that great story. You are right that we have a lot to be thankful for. The picture looks wonderful and I am really curious about the center dish.
I just wanted to show my support as a foodie. Save the prize for a loyal fan.
Good luck!
Onya – aka “Macafouchette”
Thank you Onya. That dish in the middle is a Roasted Chicken (slightly burnt) surrounded by collard greens and stuffing. Hopefully this year my cornish hens will be more attractive.
I am most thankful for my beautiful family and the unconditional love we share.
I’m thankful for my friends and family.
Congrats on your first giveaway- I’m thankful for my health!
You are right. If we have what we need we SHOULD be thankful. If we don’t have what we want (whatever that may be) it’s not really a big deal. Enough food, clothes and a place to sleep is enough to be extremely grateful. There are some (even in my own city) that cannot say that, or that live in fear from one thing or another. I am so thankful for my little girl and for everything she has taught me.
I am thankful for my family. I have so many blessings in my life, but the one thing that I am the most thankful for is my family. Your story was very inspiring….what an amazing thing to do on Thanksgiving day.
I am thankful that you are my sister 🙂
hehehe..I am grateful for you too!! And no you do not qualify!
p.s I do qualify for the give-away right? Is family excluded?
I’m thankful for my health. I have lupus and last year I spent a lot of time in the hospital and I’m much better right now.
That is something to be thankful for!! You all have such great responses.
I am thankful for my brother who I will be spending Thanksgiving with, we lost our Mom and I lost my husband a few years ago. Holidays without family is sad. I will drive how ever far to be with family. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Happy Thanksgiving to you to! So sorry to hear that Yasmin. I agree with you about how important family is. I was planning on spending my Thanksgiving at home this year but I caught a last min flight to NY to spend it with the rest of my family because it’s just not the same celebrating it without them.
It always makes me so upset that I live in Australia and all of these wonderful giveaways are only in the US
That is a great think you did. I am most grateful for my daughter. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have realized my potential or the things I could achieve.
I came across your website and was immediately drawn to your descriptions of experiences (food or not) in your day to day life. I am an absolute fan. I came on the website today to see if you had any recipes for dessert and saw your story. It’s absolutely sad to know that half of the country here is in poverty and not all get meals three or four times a day.
To answer your question, I am thankful for the fact that I have the health to get up each day to see a meal in front of me and share them with my family.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Keep the recipes coming :o)
Thank you so much Dee, for visiting my website and for the holiday wishes. I’m working on new recipes and will be posting soon.