Monday, November 17, 2008

November 22nd

On Saturday it will be my 29th birthday. I am not one to "freak out" about my age...so it is no BIG deal that this is my last year of being a 20-something....

Instead, I am very excited. This year, I have the honor of doing something great on my birthday. Something selfless, something that gives you something that no amount of money can buy.

I will be handing out thanksgiving baskets.
My father started this when we were young. We would get a small basket together, (turkey,stuffing, milk and so on) and take it to my fathers aunt who lived in downtown Detroit. But one year, she was not home. So we decided to take a drive and see if we saw someone who was needy. Then as we were about to give up, we saw couple going through a dumpster behind a building. They did not have a home to live in, they did not have any material possessions except what they had on them. As I look back I think they may have been abusing some type of drug. BUT, my dad got out of the car and offered this couple a full Thanksgiving dinner. I remember him asking if they had a place to cook it, and they were so excited and replied with a YES! They were able to take it to a friends home and cook it.
I also remember the car ride home. It was sad and lonely. At that time, I was kinda bummed that our day had been ruined so to say. But now, as a soon to be 29 year old, I see why it hit my dad so much. It hurts when you go out there and give. It hurts because of so many reasons. One, that you feel like you just will never have enough to give. You want to give so much more. Two, it kinda slaps you on the face to see how "self fish" you can be. A want that seems like a reasonable one, seems like you are asking too much. Three, It makes you see how well God has blessed you. Not only with a home, good food but with a loving family who loves each other.

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