Thanksgiving at White Castle

I rummaged through the sofa that looked like it belonged in a hippie van or a Grandma’s house. I was just as proud of it as I was the day my parents bought it in 1966, except it was now 1983 in St. Louis. Its large faded flowers were shades of brown, orange, yellow and olive green. The cushions were rough and stiff, at least in some places. I smile as I write at how I would wave my hand across the couch in the 80’s and would announce, “We bought this brand new!”

On this Thanksgiving Day the old sofa became Keeper of the Money. Surely there had to be enough change to get a few White Castles. The pantry and refrigerator were barren and I had no one to celebrate the day with, but I was determined to resist self-pity. There was a gravitational pull to get swallowed up in blankets in a dark room with closed curtains. The Lord helped me say, “No.”

One, two, three cushions came off. Yes! Among the wrappers, crumbs, combs, pencils and popcorn were quarters and nickels and dimes. It wasn’t a lot but it was enough.

I put the change in my left coat pocket because the other one had holes. Thus began my life-defining walk. “It’s Thanksgiving, Lord, so I am going to thank you.” That’s easier said than done sometimes. Why me? This was not fair.

Lord, I cannot thank you for a car because I do not have one. A thought came back. You have legs.

How am I going to thank you for this broken up dirty sidewalk? A reminder came. It could be mud.

What about the gloomy gray day? Yes, but the sun is still shining and the clouds will part.

I talked with Him literally every step of the way to White Castle. The closer I got the more I looked away from passing cars loaded with seemingly happy families. I was not alone, though it certainly felt that way.

I remember the heaviness of the door as I waited for the wind to thrust it towards me. I am holding my breath because of what happened next. A wild gust of voices shouted, “Happy Thanksgiving!” Seriously. Now I am crying. The entire restaurant was filled with strangers who miraculously converged one by one. There was no radio announcement or newspaper ad that urged loners to come. We all just somehow arrived at the same place at the same time.

“Sit here.” “No, sit with me.” Now I am laughing. All these beautiful people wanted me. Some were rather toothless and homeless looking, others dignified. One elderly couple sat comfortably in a booth and appeared to still be in love after 50 years. I chose to sit with a safe looking person who asked why I was not with family or friends, but most importantly, they cared.

There was laughter and welcoming shouts each time someone new arrived. Then there was a joyful roar as I left. “Thanks for spending Thanksgiving with us!”

I walked home stunned. What just happened? I still cannot wrap words around it but it changed how I do life.

In a few days I’ll spend Thanksgiving Eve at White Castle with family and friends. I will retell my story and remember my special day while sharing White Castles, cheese fries, onion rings and soda. There will be laughter and caring and counting our blessings one by one, and we will wish each stranger a very…

Happy Thanksgiving ♡

Mary