Here at Peace 107 we value the family and encourage families to spend time together. But what if you can’t do that? Maybe you are a student away from home or someone that’s moved for a job and have no family here. What if you have just lost the love of your life or are going through a divorce? Or have a loved one that has recently passed away?
Thanksgiving can be a very hard time and season for you. While it may seem that everyone but you is surrounded by a big loving family that is not the case. I’m Jami Mayberry and I am divorced, and moved here for my job at Peace 107 and I have no family here. Last Thanksgiving I decided to go to Cracker Barrel and order out some Thanksgiving food. To my surprise and amazement, it was PACKED with people. Long line of people waiting. I looked around at the faces. Many college age students on their own. Many older people who couldn’t cook any more. An overwhelmed mother with several small children trying to make an effort to make her kids feel loved and thankful. Friends gathering to have the big meal together because there is no way to be with family that year. So many different scenarios and so many different people from different backgrounds and walks of life with one thing in common: they are not celebrating Thanksgiving surrounded by a big, loving family. We see it in movies and on TV but rarely is that reality.
So this year I am doing something different. I am volunteering to deliver meals for the 32nd Annual Thanksgiving in the Brazos Valley. If you can get out it will be held at the Duncan Dining Hall on the Texas A&M Campus on Thanksgiving Day. They also will have volunteers delivering meals to people’s homes who cannot get out. It’s done by Epicures Catering this year and the food is donated by the Brazos Food Bank. They are still looking for a few volunteers to answer phones, prepare food, serve, deliver and clean up. You can call (979) 695-0985 for more info.
Whatever you do, don’t sit home alone. There are hundreds and hundreds of people right here that need some company and would love your time. Maybe a neighbor that lives alone or a widower you could invite share dinner with you. I want to encourage you to reach out in the midst of loneliness and brighten someone else’s Thanksgiving.
If you do have a big, wonderful family to celebrate with, don’t forget that there are people all around you at work, church and the neighborhood that would love to be included and spend some time with a family around the table. I have spent Thanksgiving every which way you can: with my family, with friends, at a Christian music artist’s home, with my then-next door neighbor who was a widow and fabulous cook, church singles group friends, and on my own. I can tell you the worst was by myself. You can’t help but fall into a pity party and that doesn’t do anyone any good. Especially when there are people near you who would be so happy and grateful to have your company.
So reach out! Whether you are the lonely one or whether your family can set an extra plate at the table, it’s the time of year to do that. And who knows, the person that might get their spirit lifted the most might be you!
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