Thankful

This year marked the second year of our new family tradition in which we celebrated with a room full of people who probably have a whole lot less to be thankful for than many. I count myself lucky to part of a community of people who make it their business, on a daily basis, to be helpful to others. In years past, I might have appreciated this kind of community meal because it would have made me thankful for what I DO have. I might have felt good about myself for helping others less fortunate than myself. But as my family grows and we try to find our place in this world I find that my reasons for gratitude have also changed. I am not thankful because I am different from those gathered together for this meal, I am thankful because we have a place among them. This year, I am thankful for the people at my table. I am thankful for Mike, the ever-present man about town with no home, who took me aside after the dishes were done to read to me from the book he is writing. I'm thankful for Chris, the man who arrived in town only a year ago with nothing more than a bundle of clothes, who asked after my fair boy just before sitting down to eat. I'm thankful for all the people who have a hard time fitting in and finding their way in this world who were gathered together in appreciation for the truly important things in life: food, friends, family, health and God. I'm thankful for the people in this world who make it their business to see the humanity in each and every person. And most of all, I'm thankful to them all for giving my family a spot at the table.