The evening before Thanksgiving, Mary called to let me know someone was serving Thanksgiving lunch, with all the trimmings, the next day at the county fairgrounds. It sounded great to both of us so we agreed to meet around noon.
Life Church volunteers, I think headed up by Jennifer Beth, along with volunteers from other churches, served turkey and all the trimmings. The woman in the above photo gave her permission, as did everyone, to have their photo taken and put in my blog.
The little man in front is called Sam, easy name for me to remember. He was front and center, asking people if he could get them a drink or more food and even thanked us for coming. Come to think of it, a lot of people told us, “Thanks for coming”. It brought tears to my eyes…they provided a free with all the trimmings Thanksgiving luncheon, then thanked me and everyone else for coming! They were all so very gracious and radiated Shekinah glory .
Lamar, Youth Minister, and Crockett are from Destiny Outreach, both with beautiful smiles, tremendous personalities.
The servers were from different churches…as mentioned, Life Church (Facebook page only), Destiny Outreach, Friendly Chapel and Main Street UMC were some I heard mentioned.
Lil Miss, on the left, was quite attentive, saying Happy Thanksgiving to people and her sister took turns serving.
I had a lovely time; the food was marvelous, the company sweetly Christian, the people beautiful. I cannot say enough good things about the luncheon or the people! My family is about 300 miles away and my plans included cold cereal for lunch…not complaining, just the way it was going to be so THANKS Life Church!
Earlier this week, on Facebook, people were talking about how terrible it was that people had to work at Walmart and other stores on Thanksgiving. Someone had a post (or whatever it’s called) that said, essentially, “Please like or share if you think it’s awful people have to work on Thanksgiving…greedy corporations” blah, blah, blah.
So, for grins I decided to go shopping at Walmart to buy several boxes of candy canes so I could give one to each employee. I wandered around the store, twice, to say, “Thanks for working today and Happy Thanksgiving.”
These guys were happy; actually most people were totally shocked. One woman said, “In 15 years this is a first, you have to give me a hug!” Another woman who identified herself as the store manager asked, “Why are you doing this? Are you with a church or something?” I said, “No, but people on Facebook are having hissy fits because Walmart people have to work today and I thought I’d come by and say, thanks for working”. She said, “On no, you don’t understand. Most of these people volunteer to work because they get a 25% discount on whatever they buy.”
So, don’t believe everything you read on Facebook, eh?
After handing out every candy cane, I was on my way out of the store and saw a stack of small electric fire places and thought, hmmm, one of those would sure look nice in my camper. So, at 5:30 p.m. I was back at Walmart to buy one and was helped by Stephen. He told me “This is the 6th year I’m working and I’m buying $300 to $400 worth of food so it’s a great thing for me. My finance and I are really happy about the discount.” Everyone was polite, pleasant, used manners and totally unlike last year when that store made national news. Apparently there was an altercation in the parking lot. It seems two men wanted the same spot and one brought a knife to a gun party. The guy with the knife stabbed the guy with the gun…now there’s a twist!…but no one was killed so it was all good. I was home by 8:30 but, again, today my knees are crying like babies; God bless anyone who works on concrete.
Today we took a family walk, Sadie, Sam and Kit Carson. He’s the kitten we rescued long in September and thinks he’s one of the pack.
and he is.
The second wood rack is full of cherry, oak and maple; a good mix for a slow burn but not terribly hot fire. The chimney is cleaned and a starter fire laid; I honestly believe I’m ready for winter. God willing and the creek don’t rise.
We’ve been having tremendously beautiful sunsets and warm weather. It’s been lovely, a nice prelude to winter although we had a skiff of snow Sunday and Monday.
Lately, it’s been beautiful one day and perfect the next. How’s it been with you?
Blessings ~ Life Church ~ Destiny Outreach ~ Friendly Chapel ~ Main Street UMC ~ and all the volunteers who gave food and fellowship ~
M.K. says
We've had grand weather for THanksgiving, with a touch of rain today.
Your Thanksgiving sounds perfect — I don't know that there's a better way to spend the day and the meal than in just such a place as you describe, with people longing and happy to serve one another, and people in a big GROUP of God's love who might otherwise been eating cold cereal 🙂 So glad you went!
Adam's dad worked for the Post Office, and he always volunteered to work all the holidays, because he got paid more for doing so. He was bummed when he didn't get that shift! So yes, there's more to the story. People who work in poor-paying retail are almost always glad to get the extra hours, plus any bonuses that come with it.
Have a lovely first week of Advent!
Tammy@T's Daily Treasures says
Sounds like a lovely way to spend a Thanksgiving. Giving and receiving, just the way it should be. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
Vicki W says
What a cool thing you did at Walmart!
Anonymous says
Hi Sandra, I apologize for being slow to visit lately. So happy you enjoyed such lovely company at the Thanksgiving lunch. What a great group of folks. Very kind of you to think of the employees who were working. That is something they will always remember.
We have been blessed with mild weather lately. It's nice to be able to get out and walk around the yard each afternoon.
Annesphamily says
A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you. I see you had quite a day of shopping. You are sure brave. We had to make an early A.M. Walmart Marketplace stop for a couple very last minute items. We have been hit with a deep freeze and the roads were not terrific. Still aren't. Asking everyone I visit for prayers for Nick and his friend Louis. Heading back to Salina, Kansas for school for two more weeks until Christmas break. Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma were hit with such awful ice storms and several folks I know were involved in car accidents or lost trees etc. I would appreciate some prayer.
It is always such a pleasure to stop by and I need to get back into the groove with those bloggers I have known the longest. Thank you for sharing your stories here.
Enjoy your Sunday. Hugs, Anne
The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen says
Sandra, your trip to Wally World armed with candy canes was such a nice gesture. I had no idea they get 25% off for working that day! Good for them, they deserve it.
It sounds like you have a wonderful caring community. I'm so glad you and your friend had such a nice Thanksgiving together. Enjoy your evening…hopefully with your feet propped up! ♥
Lisa Richards says
I made myself a full-scale Thanksgiving dinner because I love to replay my favorite meal for a few days. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the community meal. I have good intentions of volunteering to serve at one of those next year.
Our store was open until 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving and the deli was staffed by two gals who volunteered. So, I can't complain too much. I like your idea of handing out candy canes.
A good supply of firewood is a very satisfying sight. My hubby and I heated exclusively with a woodstove for over 30 years. I miss those days. Keep toasty!
Anita Johnson says
I loved this entire post. It's so easy to jump on the bandwagon and moan about stores that are open. I was a bit overwhelmed by my own festivities, so I guess, I thought, " who would want to work on Thanksgivng"?" Now I know better. Lots of people for many different reasons. I never thought about workers getting a discount, or folks without other plans, or any of that. Note to self, think it out. Glad you had a great lunch too. I love the idea of being with so many others. This all made me do some thinking. And I'm glad you are ready for winter. I have put on my long underwear and will probably have long underwear on now until mid April. I'm just cold. Glad it is milder there. Our sunsets from the new house have been so enjoyable.
affectioknit says
…it sounds awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!
~Have a lovely day!
Lee says
Lovely post of your Thanksgiving activities – always a blessing!
I think I saw that same post on Facebook, about the Walmart workers. Actually, I rather rolled my eyes. "Back in the day" when I was a lowly peon in the workforce making barely above minimum wage as a mostly unskilled worker, when I had no plans for a holiday – whether Thanksgiving or another – I was VERY happy to work on the holiday. Why? One of the companies I worked for then actually paid TRIPLE time wages for employees to work the holiday. You better believe I'd take advantage of that in order to have a little extra as often there wasn't enough food in the cupboard to fix a meal.
Thank you for sharing your life and activities.
Debby@Just Breathe says
Your so sweet. I love that you gave out the candy canes at Walmart!
CelestinaMarie@SouthernDayDreams says
You are a wonderful and sweet soul with a spirit to match. Love this post and so glad you enjoyed a wonderful dinner for Thanksgiving. Your trip to Walmart blessed so many.
My dad always said that line, Lord Willing and the Creek don't rise.
Such a sweet memory for me.
Stay warm by the fire. Hugs, xo
kathyinozarks says
I really enjoyed your post-Happy Thanksgiving-hugs from the Ozarks
La Petite Gallery says
Sandra, you really have more energy than I do. Wish I could have met with you at that Lunch. You are on top of it, I see all that wood. Stay warm, hugs yvonne
Lynne says
Love the Giving Thankful spirit . .
Now that is what Thanksgiving is all about . . .
You may have created a Sandra's Candy Cane tradition . . .
Hartwood Roses says
Your candy cane visit to Walmart was genius!! I've been on a tear lately, unfriending acquaintances on FB when I decide that their intolerance reaches a level that I can no longer tolerate. In the US, we come from many different places, and we have different religions and traditions.
I cringe at the insistence that we become a homogeneous mass, shouted a narrow-minded few … arranged according to THEIR values, of course. Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, non-believer, etc. Everyone contributes to what makes this country what it is. Working on a holiday? Puts food on the table, gifts under the Christmas tree, and provides services for shoppers that day.
Your Thanksgiving sounds like it was perfect!
FlowerLady Lorraine says
What a NICE Thanksgiving you had, and what a wonderful thing for you to do in handing out the candy canes. It was a loving gesture.
Your wood pile looks great. So do your critters.
Love, hugs & prayers for you dear Sandra ~ FlowerLady
Nancy McCarroll says
Glad you ate a thankful lunch and liked your story about shopping at Walmart. With a sore throat already I am trying to stay away from crowds. That was sweet of you to dispense candy canes!
Anonymous says
Thanks for sharing the lovely dinner on your post. What a beautiful thing to do! And thank you too for the post on Wal-Mart. What a delightful idea to hand out the candy canes and thank all the workers. And such a pleasure to learn that they enjoy their job and get perks no one knows about! Have a blessed Christmas season!
Quinn says
The kitten sure grew up quickly, didn't he, that handsome youngster! That sounds like a very pleasant way to spend your Thanksgiving, Sandra! And I love your armchair next to your woodpile…looks like you can both admire it and reach over to give it a pat to reassure yourself if you start to have an anxious moment about Winter.
Yesterday was the first day I have not needed a fire in a couple of weeks – I was out doing chores in a teeshirt, and had the porch windows open after dark – there was a balmy breeze! I enjoyed it while it lasted 🙂
Dawn McHugh says
that is very thoughtful of you taking the candy canes to Walmart, some posts on social media get my back up, lots of people work through holidays, including emergency services, shops staying open is a sign of changing times.
annie says
So glad you got together with new friends for dinner, how great!
We went to a local church one night last week, they served a full meal free.
This is the 2nd. time we have done this, apparently it has been going on once a month, most months anyway, for a few years now. Very kind generous sweet people there.
My niece said she worked yesterday, and did not get mugged at the store, so she thought all went well, she was teasing me!
Thankful for getting together with family yesterday, it was a cloudy but not too cool day for us. My knees are acting up today, climbing up & down a ladder dragging out the boxes and putting up a tree. All part of the doings I guess.
Bless you, take care, I hope you have a wonderful month of celebration!