A Story for Thanksgiving, Part II

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

18 Nov 2006 06:31 AM

continued...

Ellen could hardly believe it. She didn't think things like this happened in her community. Everybody seemed to be pretty comfortable. It scared Ellen a little, and it also made her sad.

"What's your name?" she asked, in a much friendlier tone.

"Susan."

"I'm Ellen. Do you want to sit with me? I'll share my lunch with you."

Susan was too embarrassed and she didn't want Ellen's friends to laugh at her. "Just leave me alone."

As she started to walk away, Ellen's friend Tommy walked over to them. "Please, wait."

He had been listening to the whole thing, and he felt terrible for Susan. He also understood, because when his mom passed away, his family had struggled. His older brothers always made sure he ate, but deep down he always felt that they were doing without to make sure he had enough to eat. He told Susan about it, and Ellen was stunned. She had only met Tommy a year earlier and didn't know any of this.

Tommy looked at Susan. "Sit with us," he said softly.

Susan finally agreed, and Ellen and Tommy and some of the other kids at the table each gave Susan some of their food. Suddenly, Ellen understood why her mother was so concerned with helping the poor.

When she got home from school that afternoon, she asked her mom to pack her an extra lunch for the next day. With tears in her eyes, she told her mother about Susan. She wanted to bring Susan her jacket from last year, and she wanted her mom to add Susan's family to the Thanksgiving basket list. She even asked if she could go with her mom to pack baskets and work on the Christmas projects. Her mom hugged her and said she would love to have her help.

Ellen learned a big lesson that day. Just because we don't think we know anyone that is hurting, doesn't mean there aren't people around us who are suffering. The good news is that it only takes a little time and it doesn't cost very much to help other people. Even donating a little food or a giving a little of our time to pack baskets can make the difference between people going hungry and having enough, and the difference between tears and smiles. ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

I bet you can think of some great ideas to help other people, and maybe you'll like some of the ideas in Having Fun While Helping Others.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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