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One Turkey At A Time

A stranger rang the doorbell this afternoon.

That in and of itself is not so rare.  We often have visitors on our front porch. 

But this man rang the bell, and when David answered, they engaged in conversation.

The man wondered if we might have a turkey for him.  You see, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and he and his wife did not have a turkey to cook.

I was feeling overwhelmed with other “helping” tasks I was doing today, and I am embarrassed to admit that my first reaction to the request was, “What?  Someone is actually COMING TO THE HOUSE asking for a turkey?  Bizarre.”.

But when David later re-told more of their conversation to me, I was proud.

The man came to our house and asked because he knew he could.  He knew it would be a safe place, that he would not be looked down on, and that he might indeed find assistance.  He told David he remembers eating fresh peaches from our tree in summer.  He loves the signs of inclusiveness and kindness we put up.  And he has gotten warm clothing from our front gate before in winters past.

So, it was not just a random person ringing the bell asking for turkey.  It was a “neighbor”.  He may not live nearby, I do not know.  But he was a neighbor, a neighbor in need.  A human being with clear eyes, likely a kind smile behind his mask, and a tender heart.  It is not easy asking for help.  I can’t imagine the courage it took to walk up our front stairs and ring the bell.  But he did it. 

I offered him plates of Thanksgiving food for him and his wife.  A neighbor is organizing making extra plates of food to share with whoever does not have a meal tomorrow.  “Oh no, no, no maam.  We will be fine.  We will have food with family or friends.  It is just a turkey I am in search of”.  After I stepped away he told David the places he had already asked for a turkey.  The local food bank, a local agency that serves the homeless…  But no one had any turkeys left, and this made him sad.  You see, he and his wife just like the tradition of cooking a Thanksgiving turkey together. 

And who cannot relate to that?  Maybe cooking turkey is not your tradition, but certainly you have many.  Do you have any that you would be willing to perhaps sacrifice your dignity for?  That you would ring a doorbell for help with?

David took his phone number and we planned to go get him a turkey.  After we ran other errands we called him to see if he had been successful yet.  You could hear the smile in his voice when he realized it was David calling him.  “Why yes sir, I got a turkey!  I just came home from the grocery store.  Someone there bought one for me.  Thank you for checking on me.  God bless you.”

His love for his wife and for tradition were so strong that he was willing to step inside a grocery store knowing he did not have the money to pay for what he wanted.  But he must have been brave enough to ask.  And a kind soul heard and responded.

Keep your eyes and your heart open.  There are neighbors all around you.  Some may be desperate or brave enough to ask.  Others are asking in silence.  Help.  Hold out your heart to them.  Make the world better one turkey at a time.



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