Denis's Thanksgiving
Don't ever forget how to make someone happy this Thanksgiving day.
I stopped by to see my friend Denis yesterday. When I first introduced him to you he was great, well-kempt and upbeat, all things considering. Lately, though, he hasn’t been doing so well. He’s become bedraggled and there is an edge of despondence when we converse. He resists any help social workers extend to him, especially their efforts to get him to go into a shelter even in the most inclement weather. He prefers his home in the doorway of a closed shop and he relies on the people who, like me, stop by to check on him.
Since it was Thanksgiving, I was hoping he’d at least go to one of the neighborhood churches for warmth and a good turkey dinner.
I had hope when he told me how much he loved Thanksgiving.
“It’s my favorite holiday!” he said with one of his great big smiles I haven’t seen since last year.
“Oh good! Which one are you going to?”
It was clear he thought this was a slightly insane question. The people who watch over him think about him and come around. “They bring me plates of food all day!”
How horrible was this? To have never even thought about him as I cooked my big meal that was meant to share with family and friends? But not Denis. All these years I could have been making him so happy—a man in paradise—not with the measly dollars I give him but with a heaping plate of Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings?
“I’m blessed,” he said.
Denis hates to be touched or I would have hugged him. Instead, I gave him ten dollars and planned to carry to him a huge amount of my family’s dinner. I’ll put it in a cooler so it could last for the days afterwards when he may be running out of Thanksgiving dinners.
What I am grateful for:
My funny odd sons My funny odd husband The strong, equally funny, women who married my sons Hugs Mary Chris My sister and brother My friends Crisp scrabble Poached eggs Force Multiplier efforts to save democracy Gin martinis Ripe cantaloupe Camembert cheese A glass of Côtes du Rhône paired with Camembert cheese Olives Making stews Making soups My 1936 Corona typewriter that still works Emily Brontë’s poetry The woods The ocean The little house Lamictal Old family photographs Revlon’s “Cherries in the Snow” lipstick Brooklyn A working knee The Tiny Chef makes an apple pie episode Dinner with friends around the table Dinner in a French restaurant late at night Dinner in any restaurant except fancy ones Diners My waitress resume Writing Writing Stories My few, my happy few, my band of loyal subscribers Snow Christmas Dessert
P.S Addition to my list:
Vicki Smith for her always kind supportive words and her beautiful newsletter, Easel to Table!
Don’t forget to share near and far to family, friends, and strangers!
And a few comments? Your Thanksgiving plans?….
I was with you in spirit, , cooking, giggling, drinking, creating, etc!
God bless Denis.
Love your list...I made a baked camembert with sliced pears, few pecans, and drizzle of honey. Cheers my sweets.
I will work on my list!
Happy Thanksgiving Pat. Have a wonderful day with family and friends. I loved your list of what you're Thankful for. I lost my husband this year and my family is too far away to be with (plus they have their new families too) so I'm hosting a group of friends who have supported me amazingly this year. Thanksgiving was my husband's favorite holiday and he presided over it with enormous joy.