Well it's been a decidedly odd Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to still be on solid ground, but can see the precipice from here.
A bunch of folks at work got laid off a couple weeks back. I hooked some of them up through linkedin.com and promised to keep an eye out for openings, but no one really thinks that's going to happen. The only executive I can get on the phone is the "service executive" that answers when I call Comcast to reboot my cable box. If they answer, that is.
Mom and Dad have new unexpected neighbors: Palauan economic refugees. The kosher meatpacking plant in Postville recruited a bunch of Palauans and promised them 9 bucks an hour and free housing. Then the plant went bankrupt and the landlord turned off the electricity at the free housing. The Palauans gathered up their clothes in garbage bags and were out on the street. My parents' church's Thanksgiving donation is going to help out.
One of my co-workers from 10 years ago was working as temp help at the grocery store during the Thanksgiving rush. She swore everything was fine, but that can't be a good sign.
Anyway, it really hit home tonight. More below the fold.
One of my neighbors came home tonight. She'd been gone for months and nobody really knew why. Now I know, and soon you will too.
After I talked to her, I dropped off a video and really wanted to do something Thanksgivingy for her and her kid.
I didn't think she'd take charity, but I had a plan. When I came back I said "Hey, I was going to get some pie, but I can't eat the whole thing. Do you want some of it?" I really don't need any more pie. But she said yes. So off to the suburban chain restaurant I went.
When I get there I see a manager I know, and ask if he's got any apple pies left. He jokes that he doesn't, but he does. A whole table full, all boxed up. In fact he'll sell me one for $10, two for $15 or three for $20.
I said. "I'll tell you what. I'm mainly here because I just found out my neighbor's been at the local women's shelter for the last couple months. She just got back, and I wanted to do something to give her some Thanksgiving."
He sold me an extra pie for 2 bucks.
I came back and said "Turns out they're having a deal on pies, so I got you a whole one. Happy Thanksgiving."
Now I realize I can't save the world with one damn pie. And I'm not writing this diary to pat myself on the back. For all I know, she had a perfectly wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, and was just being polite.
I just wanted to encourage you to keep your eyes and ears peeled, and go out of your way every once in awhile for somebody who looks like they need it. Even if you're wrong sometimes, collectively it might add up.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Metallel clan.