One of my favorite Thanksgivings - years ago.

I had just moved to Columbus, and was working at a big county station there. I had to work that early morning, and because of reasons I can't fully remember I was going to spend Thanksgiving alone for the first time. Being brand new in town I hadn't made any friends yet. I got home around 11 and then it hit me.  It was just me, and the Detroit Lions in the early game and the Dallas Cowboys in the late game. I was young, broke and sitting in my $175 a month apartment. I remember running on adrenaline for a while. My own place, my own couch, control of the TV, but then about the fourth quarter of the Detroit game, it became Thanksgiving alone.

Then a knock on my door. It was my upstairs neighbor Suzy. I sort-of knew her. We'd see each other in the parking lot, exchange pleasantries. She was 10 years or so older than me and she just stopped by to give me a plate of Thanksgiving dinner from her parents house. I asked her to stay. She declined saying said she had to go to sleep because she worked third shift. But she saw me leave early that morning for the station and was worried I might be alone. Bless her. To this day, I never learned Suzy's last name, as she moved out a few weeks later.

As a young adult, it was among the first times I remember another adult doing something really kind for me. The food was great, and so was her thoughtfulness. I was so excited I actually drank 2 Pepsi's that day as a treat. I was so poor, I rationed myself to only one per day.  It's been many years, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Not much can make me well up and get slightly boo-hooey. But this memory can.

I grew up a bunch that afternoon between Detroit and Dallas. I learned that there are some really nice people in the world that do great things just because. Also, that tough days yield to better ones. Plus, I learned that I better up my game, and that the people I was going to be in contact with from here on in as an adult were exactly that - adult.

It was that year that Thanksgiving became my favorite holiday.  I learned that day that Thanksgiving is aptly named. A day for thanks....and a day for giving.

God bless you Suzy.....wherever you are.....Just bless you.

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