Roleplay Adventures - Chat and RPG

Well, it’s almost my favorite day. Here in the USA, Thursday of this week will be Thanksgiving! It’s without a doubt one of my favorite holidays. It’s a great time for friends and family and delicious food. I know a lot of families have traditions, its part of what makes the holiday special. We always had loads of people at my house for Thanksgiving when I was a kid. Both my mom & my dad were such social people; our house was usually bursting with people for dinner, and afterwards, coming and going. Stopping by to say hello, have some pie, or just to play cards or watch football. It was always amazing to me, they had so many friends. It didn’t dawn on me till I was about ten or so that sometimes the people that came by our house for dinner, were people I had never seen before. We, my brothers and I were raised to be polite, so I would never dream of asking a person why there were in my house. They were there because my parents invited them, that was enough. 

As I got a little older, and perhaps a little bolder, I remember asking my mom. Why was Mr. K there, or why had we never seen Ms L before today? My mom just ruffled my hair and laughed, finishing whatever she was cooking at the time. I persisted; it seemed important at the time. I needed to know who these people were, and why they were in our house for dinner. I remember her face when she realized that I wouldn’t leave without an answer. She rested her hands on my shoulders, and in a most serious face, explained quite bluntly, that they had no one else, and nowhere else to go, they were here because her and my father refused to let them be alone on this holiday. Well as you can imagine, I felt horrible. How could they not have family, or friends, or someone that they could share this special holiday with? My mother went back to her cooking, not willing to explain it further. Just brushing me out of the kitchen, leaving me in my stunned silence. 

That’s when it sort of clicked. My dad worked for our city, in the water department and was a part-time bartender. In both of his jobs, he would run into numerous people on a daily basis. People that obviously weren’t in the best position they could be in, in life. Having a heart that was bigger than could be managed, of course he would invite people to eat with us. We had a nice home, and plenty of room, and what was one more plate at the table? A few more potatoes, and turkey..right? My mother of course would agree, as there were plenty of times that some of her friends found their way to our house as well for a meal, or a ride or, well whatever they needed.

I never forgot that lesson they taught me, without even really teaching me. No matter if it’s Thanksgiving or not, you need to give back to the people in this life that might not have it quite as good as you do. There is no greater gift that you can give, than that which costs you nothing more than a smile or a warm hug for someone who needs it. 

So for all the people that will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week in the USA, I hope you get the opportunity to share it with friends and family and those special people in your life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Now.. pass me the Turkey!

Merry Gentry