Having been raised by my mom, who is exceptionally giving and caring and a lifelong social worker, I learned an
interesting lesson about how to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas. For years, my mother invited single friends of hers who had no family nearby to share our meals and our special days. Many people don't have the advantage of a nuclear family, or perhaps their families are simply too far away.
Over the past few years, we have been hosting both of the major holidays at our house, since we have three small children and the largest home. Frankly, it's been nice to remain home rather than taking a car trip with the kids.
Starting last year, I decided to take a cue from my mom and invite a friend to hang out and enjoy a stellar meal with us. He is from Mexico, and his family is still there. He has been working here in the U.S. since about 1994, and sending money back home to his wife, parents, and his teenage son. He spent both holidays with us last year. He truly considers us to be his family now.
Today, my friend was here again to enjoy a terrific meal with us, including my wife's patented sweet potato casserole, which she could probably market. This time around, after my son prayed (very eloquently, I might add), I asked my friend to say a prayer in Spanish, which was both beautiful and poignant.
He stayed to watch the Cowboys' game, and I gave him a small gift by allowing him to call his family in Mexico for awhile before he left with a "care package" of great food. At first, he protested, but I really wanted him to have a stress-free chance to speak with them.
I have another friend who spent last Christmas with us, along with his mom. His father passed away, and he and his mom didn't really have any other plans. I think both of them enjoyed getting a chance to watch our kids with their gifts that day. They also attended our Christmas Eve service at church. I was hoping he would come over today as well, but I think he got suddenly shy and decided not to come this time.
Over the weekend sometime, my wife Pam and I will go to a government housing project to speak with several families about our church's outreach program called "Tree of Lights". If you follow my blog, you may recall that I spend time every month with the kids who live there: My Day with Project Intercept (Helping Disadvantaged Kids in Austin). We will be speaking with each family about what they want/need for Christmas this year, and I will be helping to coordinate the "adoption" of each family by the members of our church. Just before Christmas, there is a large program held at the community center with songs and food and the gifts are all distributed. At last year's program, I seriously had more holiday joy in my heart than I have felt since I was a child. Although I realize that it is a clunky analogy, it reminded me a lot of the end of the Grinch movie. The happiness that I saw and shared that night made me wish that I could do that every day of the year.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! I hope you are also able to find some ways to share your joy with others during the holiday season this year.
Thanks for taking some time to read this one.
Copyright 2007 Austin Real Estate Jason Crouch All rights reserved
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I commend you for reaching out to someone ....and I'm sure you were very appreciated for your efforts. It's the little things like this that are actually big things for others. Support, giving and being thankful is what this day is all about. Good for you Jason!
Jason.... everything that you talked about sounded great. Since I am single, I just go to my parents house, or if my sister & brother-in-law every have Thanksgiving or Christmas at their house. And they have 4 kids.... but one of my favorite times was when I was in college. I had my best friend's roommate over who was from Spain and a girl who was a waitress at the restaurant that I bar tended at. I had a great time... I made the main course and they brought the small things over.... don't forget a few bottles of wine. ;o)
Seriously, I could relate to a lot of what you mentioned because my parents always opened their home to other friends of ours. Glad you were able to share your home with someone else. Especially having him call his wife in Mexico. That must have been awesome. Thanks for sharing this. Happy Thanksgiving....
Jason,
I am always looking to find those friends that will be alone and make a point to invite them over. Over the years, I have experienced being alone on the holidays and it is lonely and often times a sad time. I had three friends that have been through a divorce and alternate their children with the other custodial parent. This year they were alone, I had dinner with them, they both happen to be my best friends (in my single world) and we had a wonderful time! I just struggle with knowing someone is alone and sad. It just breaks my heart. A message to those reading, you just have no idea how much you can touch someone and their life when you invite them to join you for dinner or a few hours on the holidays. I know. Thank you Jason for your service and being aware of others needs. You are truly a servant of our Father in Heaven! I'm impressed.
Jason,
Once again you give us all a lesson on how we should live our lives.
Thank You and God Bless Youj
Jason,
Thats just very Caring of you! and you know how great that is to do for someone else. Now I would have to say that your Cowboys are doing Pretty Darn Good :0) Go Romo!!
Tom Weiss
I am quite positive that there are many people and families that are very THANKFUL to know you and your family that live outside of Active Rain. You are such a giving person and always so willing to share. I agree with what one poster said above...you are by far a better person than me. You are somebody to look up to: as a blogger and just as a person.
jason
I had the good fortune of being asked to cook and do prep work the night before thanksgiving for a soup kitchen, we prepared 65 Turkeys and all the trimmings.
Your story reminded me of my Dad who past away a year ago last October, he never let anyone go away from his home hungry, I don't care who the person was.
Thanks for sharing this story.
Jason,
It is no wonder you have such joy in your life...it is spent loving and being thankful!!
May God continue to work in and through your life, my friend!!
=-)
DALIA - Thanks for your kind words. I feel that we are called to do this kind of thing with our time and resources. Have a great weekend!
LOLA - Thanks! I agree - the holidays can be especially lonely for some people. I hope you have a terrific holiday weekend!
JEFF - As always, thanks for your pertinent and nice comments, and for sharing your own stories. Yes, my friend was pretty excited about speaking with his family, and I talked to his son briefly (my Spanish is a bit rusty). Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
ROBERTA - I am overwhelmed by your kind remarks. Simply put, thank you for this. We are simply doing what I think we are all called to do, and thankfully we have been able to affect some lives in the process. Happy Thanksgiving!
KAREN ANNE - It's funny that you mentioned that verse, because that is how I truly try to live my life, although I am not always successful at this. Thanks so much for your compliments - they are dearly appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
CANDI - I am deeply touched by your comments. Thank you for what you said. I have seen first-hand how much impact this kind of thing can have on people. I hope you have a terrific weekend, and maybe we can talk again sometime soon.
KAY - Actually, we have been inviting multiple friends each time, but usually only one shows up. Last year, we had three friends over on Christmas day. Thanks so much for reading, and for your continued support. Happy Thanksgiving!
ADAM - Thanks, buddy. I appreciate your remarks very much. I know that is true - some people only look forward to food and football on Thanksgiving. Truth be known, I do, too! I also think it's important to consider others at this time of year.
DAVID - Short and sweet - I like that. Thanks for your kind words.
HUGH - I am glad that you saw this as a lesson. That was one of my reasons for writing it. I just don't want to be prideful about it. God gives me the ability to do these things. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, buddy.
TOM - Thanks, my friend. As for the Cowboys, they look really good right now. The big test is next week against the Packers.
DIANE - I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for your comments. Have a great weekend!
My family also did something similar for years. Even since I was a kid, I could always remember one person who wasn't a member of the family at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I wish I could have done it this year, but we downsized homes as an investment property and barely have enough room for us. Plus my bathroom counters, sink, lights and flooring are all in my living room.
Hopefully next year we can get back to this tradition and thanks for the reminder!
JESSICA - Thanks so much for saying that. It means a lot to me, although I don't feel worthy of the admiration most times. I am happy to hear that you are inspired! Have a great weekend - I hope you feel better soon.
GARY - It sounds like you did some real good this year, and your father sounds like a great man. Thanks for your comments - I hope you're doing well this holiday weekend.
CHAD - That is awesome! Good for you. Thanks very much for taking time to read and comment on this post. Have a great Sunday!
ALEX - That was exceptionally kind of you to say that. I certainly appreciate it. I hope you had a great holiday and I hope you have a terrific Sunday.
RYAN - Thanks! You, too. As for the Cowboys, the big test is next Thursday against the Packers. If they can win that one, I feel very good about their chances to make it to the big game.
KATERINA - That is a scary story about the guy who fell. It sounds like you are having a positive effect by hosting the missionaries each month. Thanks so much for your comments!
JULIE - I thank you for your kind remarks, but I don't really know that I should accept credit for any of this. God has made it possible for me to do these things. Without Him, I am nothing. However, I am really happy that I am having a positive impact on my friends here at AR.
TODD - It sounds like you come from a similar upbringing, which doesn't surprise me. I'm glad you liked the post. Have a good one -
ELIZABETH - Thanks for your resounding compliments. I am very thankful to you for this. Que Dios te bendiga tambien!
What wonderful traditions you have!
KRISTA - Thanks! I appreciate you stopping by to check this one out. Have a great week!
TOM - Yes, it is quite a gift from my mom. Thanks for your kind words, as always. I hope you have a terrific week and a great Christmas.
ALAN - Thursday sounds great to me. Just let me know a time and a place. Talk to you soon -
ED - It sounds cozy and kind in your house. Sorry about your Lions on Thanksgiving day. I am a Cowboys fan, so it was a fun football watching experience for me. I hope you have a terrific week!