The best Thanksgiving ever in my memory

[eggbeater]

As I mentioned before, Ed and I always had this thing about bringing in some of the homeless in our area to enjoy a nice home cooked meal for thanksgiving.
Over the years we had come to know a few of these people rather well.

Yesterday, a car pulled up outside the house and out steps this gentleman nicely dressed, with a nice young lady with him.
He comes up to the door and just walks right on in like he owned the place.

it was Tom.
Tom was one of the homeless that we had been helping out along the way, a meal here and there, a blanket etc...

last year Ed had Tom paint our house outside. even though it took him a bit of time to do it, he and a couple of his homeless friends did a wonderful job, as a matter of fact, it was so nice that two of our neighbors allowed them to pain their homes also. (pay was given)

Tom decided that painting was an easy way to make a few dollars so he decided to continue painting. His story yesterday was one of true wonderment (is that a word?)
anyway, he has done so well at it that he is now the owner/operator of a small painting company, he has put to work 6 of his homeless friends and he now has a small apartment that he lives in.
The young lady that came in with him as it turns out is an accountant, one that he hired to take care of the money that he makes painting. It seems that he is not very good at money management so she does it for him.
Tom and Vicky have plans to be married in spring.

My reason for posting this is to tell you that even though that "bum" looks like he could never amount to anything in life, given a small chance he can become a valued member of society.
Nobody is ever to be considered disposable.

I just wanted to share this with you, even as I write this, the tears of joy are swelling up in my eyes again. I only wish Ed had been here to see this.

When you come across that "Bum" in your own town, take a moment to find out what happened to him, and just talk to him as if he was your equal. You might just find that the only thing that seperates you from him is the change in your pocket.

We all have so much to be thankful for in our lives yet often we dwell upon those things that keep us down.

I take no credit for Toms turn about in life, he did it on his own, all Ed and I did was pay him a fair wage for the labor of painting our home.

its really so easy when you think about it.

Oh, and yesterday Including my genetic family, we had 18 people setting around our table sharing food, and sharing our love of the Lord.

There are no bums in this world, there are only people that have been pushed down so far that they can not find a way back up.

Please, if you ever have the chance, give that person a small boost and just see what they can do for themselves.

[NMDemDist2]

1. oh Mrs. E, what a wonderful story! I am so glad to see you posting here

you are a welcome addition indeed and I hope to see you often at DU

Blessings on you and yours :pals:

[HamdenRice]

2. Such a beautiful memory ...Thank you

and I am sure it gives you comfort and pride to know that the kindness Ed did will live after him for Tom's life and perhaps Tom and Vicky's childrens lives.

[spoony]

3. That's beautiful.

"There are no bums in this world, there are only people that have been pushed down so far that they can not find a way back up."

You're kind and eloquent, bless you :)

[irislake]

21. As a retired welfare worker

I can vouch for that. The nicest people in this world that I have met were the gentle people at the bottom of the heap who needed welfare. And for most of them it was temporary. They needed a hand up. God only knows how people can sleep at night if they need to get their kicks out of being critical of those who are down and out, whether it is temporary or permanent.

[Jeanette in FL]

4. Mrs. Eggbeater, you need to start a journal

You have such a powerful message to convey. I am finding such inspiration in your words these past few days in what should be a most difficult time in your life.

Thank you for taking the time to do so.

[eggbeater]

6. Yes it has been hard since Eds death

Yet I firmly believe in the saying that I heard somewhere once.
"Dont cry because its over, rejoice because it happened"

[DemReadingDU]

14. Such wise words, thank you!

you have wonderful Thanksgiving memories

[Hav]

5. .

Wow, what a beautiful story.
I guess Tom must be pretty proud and content as well.

[NMDemDist2]

7. kick for Mrs. E and can we get one more R? n/t

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

8. Done. n/t

[JeffR]

9. Once again, Ellen, thank you

:yourock:

[ms liberty]

10. K&R: Thank you so much for sharing this n/t

[NC_Nurse]

11. Thank you so much for sharing this.

What an inspiration you and Ed are for the rest of us. I hope you will continue to post and that we can give you back half of the
comfort and spirit that you and he have given us. Ed was truly spiritual and so are you. I am thankful for your message of hope and faith at this time.
:hug: :grouphug:

[graywarrior]

12. This post totally rocks.

Thanks for sharing that. And keep coming back here.

[havocmom]

13. "...just talk to him as if he was your equal." Amazing what can happen

when we drop the burden and restraints of preconceived notions when dealing with people, isn't it? There is so much more to people than just what our eyes and our conditioning will allow us to see.

Your story and its lesson are a great reminder for us all.

Treating others with real respect brings rewards beyond reckoning.

Anybody have the link to merh's old thread about ((((((ripples))))))? I lost it when the old computer died. Seems a good thread to consider with this one today.

We never know just how far our simplest actions can reverberate. No matter how simple a thing you do, it is very important that you do it.

[me b zola]

29. Here is a link to merh's classic 'ripples' thread

I don't have her permission to repost, but here is the opening of the post for those unfamilar:

The pure serene of memory in one man,—
A ripple widening from a single stone
Winding around the waters of the world.
~Theodore Roethke ~

The ripple effect of DU is tremendous. Each one of us that stone that is tossed into the pond, each one of us tossing stones into the pond that is DU. We come here to learn, to share, to vent and to encourage and our actions, our posts, our arguments and our agreements ripple out and touch each other just as we are touched by the ripples of others.

We are a grassroots community made up of people that believe in some basic principles -- Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We see our world as precious and we see how frail it is. We recognize that we cannot change the world on our own; we know that there is strength in numbers and we each try our best to improve our corner of the world. We strive for acceptance, not just of our ideals and ourselves, but also for others and their values and their views.

~~more @ link~~you really owe it to yourself to open the link:)~~~
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1768573

[havocmom]

32. Thanks for the link. Don't think merh will mind at all

I posted it while DU waited on pins and needles for news from merh and other gulf coast DUers after Katrina hit.

ripples, still an important message

[malaise]

15. A wonderful story

Your Ed was a good man. You were so lucky.

[porphyrian]

16. Real compassion is rare these days. You guys set a wonderful example. - n/t

[Mad_Dem_X]

17. Beautiful story! thanks for sharing that

You are proof that compassion and generosity still exist in this world. We could all take a lesson from you!

[radfringe]

18. K&R and

reaching for a tissue..

thank-you for sharing

[pnorman]

19. "While there is a lower class, I am in it.

While there is a criminal element, I am of it. While there is a soul in prison, I am not free." --- Eugene V. Debs

"The cries of the poor aren't always just, but if you never listen to them, you'll never know the meaning of justice." --- Howard Zinn

pnorman

[irislake]

20. I

l-o-v-e you!

[SeattleGirl]

22. Ellen, thank you so much for sharing this story.

It reminds me of a story of my own. I used to work in a substance abuse program that dealt with a lot of homeless people. I did the assessments on these folks, and recommended them for treatment if necessary. I remember this one man, so down on his luck, so beaten down it was heartbreaking to deal with him.

There was a cafe just across the street from where I worked, and one day, while I was walking over there to get lunch, I encountered a man on the sidewalk. He said, "Hey, ____!!! How are you?" I looked at him, and didn't recognize him. Then he said, "Hey, don't you remember me? I'm ____!" Coulda knocked me over with a feather. When I dealt with this man, he was at the bottom of the barrel. But that day when I ran into him, he was a man who had come a long way: Had a job, a place to live, and most importantly, he was his own man. He was clean and sober, and living a simple, responsible life. He told me I was a big part of that. Maybe, maybe not. What matters most to me is that he is sober, and on the path to living a good and decent life.

[GregD]

23. Our home was painted this year by Joe

This is a great story about Tom - thanks for sharing. Here's another one:

I met Joe this summer when I picked him up as a hitchhiker. As we drove, I learned that he was a painter, and looking for work. Painting our home was something I knew needed to be done, but time in my schedule prevented me from even thinking about that. I asked him to come by and look at the job.

After his comments made it clear to me that Joe knew exactly how important the task of prep work prior to painting was, I checked his local references, and turned him loose on the job. It took almost a month, because there was so much to do. Pressure washing, caulking, priming, and eventually the final body color and 3 seperate trim colors.

Each day he showed up on his bicycle. I had not known prior to his starting the job that he was, besides looking for work, homeless. He showed up reliably except for the 3 mornings when it took a while to return from the county jail where he had spent the night. Seems the local cops didn't like his sleeping in this field or under that tree. On those mornings he arrived, just later than expected.

At the end of the job, the money I paid him was used to pay for airfare to Kathmandu. In his 40+ years, he has spent much time in Nepal and other countries. (About 30 trips to Nepal alone, and enough time in Thailand to speak Thai with ease.)

This year, Kathmandu was not in his plans. Nor was my house likely to be painted. But both dreams came true. Worked out really well for both of us, and we each have a new friend.

[BrklynLiberal]

24. Wow. What a wonderfully heartwarming story. A true classic for

Thanksgiving. Thank you for posting it.

[Liberty Belle]

25. Thank you for reviving the true holiday spirit, in the tradition of Charles Dickens.

Dickens used to invite the less fortunate into his own home for the holidays, too.

Here's an excerpt from a book I wrote a few years back (100 Books That Shaped World History), with info on the root of Dickens' generosity:

Charles Dickens, England’s most famous novelist, delighted in writing Christmas tales each holiday season.
A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ endearing story of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s transformation from miser to benefactor, became a holiday classic and inspired a new genre of literature: the Christmas book.
Christmas was a special time for Dickens, who cherished holiday celebrations with his family. “To my father it was a time dearer than any other part of the year,” his daughter, Mamie Dickens, recalled in a memoir. “He loved Christmas for its deep significance as well as its joys, and this he demonstrates in every allusion in his writings to the great festival, a day that he considered fragrant with the love that we should bear one to another.” She added, “There are always subtle and tender touches which will bring tears to the eyes, and make even the thoughtless have some special veneration for this most blessed anniversary.”
Dickens shared the Christmas spirit by inviting friends and neighbors to join in merriment, always paying special attention to the littlest child. “God bless us,” he would entreat in a toast echoed by Tiny Tim, the heartwarming child in A Christmas Story. “Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, or which all men have some,” Dickens counseled his guests.
Dickens’ sentimentality over the holiday season and his strong belief in helping others stemmed from his own impoverished childhood. Born in 1812, at age twelve Dickens was forced to work in a factory after his parents and siblings were confined to debtors’ prison. The experience haunted him all of his life; in later years, themes from his bleak childhood appeared in his novels. including David Copperfield and Great Expectations.
He began his writing career as a newspaper reporter, but later authored short stories and novels including David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens became known for his depictions of social conditions in England and for his heartfelt humanity.
In December 1844, Dickens published A Christmas Carol, the first of five Christmas books. It proved immediately successful.
Dickens enjoyed performing public readings of many of his works, including A Christmas Carol. After a public reading in 1870, Dickens suffered a stroke and died soon after. “Dickens dead?” a young girl reportedly exclaimed upon hearing the news. “Then will Father Christmas die too?”
The Christmas spirit so revered by Dickens lives on in A Christmas Carol, which describes Scrooge’s encounters with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Unloved and abandoned to boarding school during the holidays as a child, Ebeneezer Scrooge became obsessed with money and power. Through his contact with the ghosts, however, he learns that others view him as a stingy, unfeeling man. He is moved by the plight of Tiny Tim, ailing child of Scrooge’s impoverished clerk, Bob Cratchit.
As a result of his Christmas Eve visitations, Scrooge resolves to change his life: “He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world.”
The final paragraph in A Christmas Carol refers to Scrooge, but the words aptly describe Dickens as well:
“. . . and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”
Dickens concluded his holiday tale by entreating readers to share in the Christmas spirit: “May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!”

[irislake]

26. Here's another true story

Years ago when I was working for Social Services I was a "regular" in a donut shop. (A Canadian thing.) There was a young engineer who did rants about people on welfare and all the slackers of the world etcetera. An older "regular" commented to me, "That young man has a lot of growing up to do." Then he lost his job. There were too many engineers at the time. The engineer went on Unemployment Insurance. After many months he arrived at the donut shop on foot (after a many miles hike) and whispered to the waitress, "Thelma, can you give me a coffee. I'll pay you when I can." Quite obviously his UI had run out and he was on welfare. I scolded him for not telling us he was having problems and "lent" him money. Word spread and the other regulars chipped in. When he got a job interview in Boston (for a position in Toronto) we bought him shoes, made sure he had a nice suit, drove him to the airport. He got the job. A good one. One of the "regulars" said, "I wonder if he will go back to snapping his fingers at Thelma now and if he will pay us back for the money we "lent" him." He did not ever treat Themla rudely again, paid us back every penny and said to me, "If you ever have anybody on welfare who needs extra help please let me know." He bought a typewriter for Anna -- a blind welfare recipient to start with. His most generous act was to send a single parent who was suicidally depressed on a tropical vacation so she "wouldn't lose faith in the world's goodness." He was a changed man. And we all lived happily ever after!

[Gregorian]

27. You are the catalyst that gave that man a new life.

Right now I am feeling what you feel. It's sorrow mixed with happiness.

I honestly believe that you had everything to do with his turnaround.

There is much more to say. Volumes. But I'll just leave it at that.

[wryter2000]

28. What a wonderful story

Thank you for sharing.

[me b zola]

30. What a wonderful post

:)

[Irishonly]

31. Thank you

for sharing your heartwarming story. You never know how your acts of kindness affects others. Your Thanksgiving was blessed.

[Dystopian]

33. k&r......

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story....how ironic that this happened just yesterday...Thank you also for sharing your tears of joy....
May blessings continue to come your way...You lived a beautiful life with a beautiful man...and are still reaping the seeds of kindness....
I'm in awe of both of you....
Hearing about acts of love and kindness are inspirational...
This is what keeps many of us going during difficult times..
Thank you.....

peace~

[madrchsod]

34. "none of us are free"

"We got try to feel for each other, let our brother's know that we care
got to get the message, send it out loud and clear.
None of us are free, if one of us are chained.
None of us are free............
now I swear your salvation isn't too hard too find,
None of us can find it on our own
We've got to join together in sprirt, heart and mind.
So that every soul who's suffering will know they're not alone.
none of us are free...." Solomon Burke


you and ed are shining examples of what two people can do to change one man`s life and now he has changed others..

"none of us are free if one of us are chained"

[madmax]

35. Thanks so much for sharing.

Very, very touching. :hug: Bless you.

[Booster]

36. Fabulous post. My heart swells with pride for you, and for Ed.

I have taken to giving a homeless man named John whatever I can whenever I can. The first time I saw him, I pulled up in my car and held out a fiver; I didn't know the man had a extremely hard time walking, and as I watched him slowly get up and hobble over to my car, I felt embarrassed that I had not gotten out of the car and walked over to him. The other times I have parked the car and walked to him, and will from now on. John has the most beautiful smile and it's worth every penny I give him to see him flash that smile. You're an inspiration, Mrs. Ed, and you have a beautiful soul.

[sleepyhead]

37. "Nobody is ever to be considered disposable"

Words to live by. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.

[stevedeshazer]

38. You just made my year with that story. Bless you and Ed.

Let me tell you a bit about my dad, who passed away three years ago.

One rainy Christmas Eve when I was little, Pop showed up late for dinner. Mom was more than a little miffed. Hey, it was Christmas Eve.

Well, Pop had brought a guest, a homeless guy he'd picked up hitchhiking. This guy hadn't had a bath in quite a while. He retired to the barn with some blankets and a hot plate of food and a dry, sheltered place.

The next morning, Christmas Day, the guy was gone. A couple of years later came a thank-you note. That really made Pop a happy guy.

Thanks so much for sharing your story. It brought back memories of my own.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. What a wonderful story...

Thank you so much for sharing it with us today!

It contains a lesson that we can hardly hear enough.......:hug:

[nicknameless]

40. Such a beautiful story.

This quote is especially moving:
" There are no bums in this world, there are only people that have been pushed down so far that they can not find a way back up."

Thank you for all you're doing to make the world a better place and for touching people's lives the way you clearly have.

[democrank]

41. What a sweet message.

You really made my day. Thank you.

[pacalo]

42. Beautiful, beautiful story.

What touches me the most is that you & Ed were meant to be together. When two generous & selfless souls are melded together, just look at what good you can do in the world together.

There are so many people here at DU, so forgive me for the fact that I didn't know "eggbeater" (Ed). He sure was a good man & I'm so sorry he's no longer with us.

Bless you, Mrs. Ed. :)

[RFKHumphreyObama]

43. Mrs Eggbeater

My sincere apologies -I seem to have missed responding to the initial post about Ed

Please result assured that you and your family have my deepest, most profound and most heartfelt thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies on the loss of Ed. Unfortunately I only knew Ed for a very short time on this forum but the one or two posts that I read provided me with an insight as to the kind, generous, thoughtful and wonderful person that he was. I know that he must have been the type of person who touched the lives of all those that he knew and loved and changed them for the better and that the world is truly a better place for having him in it. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers

Your Thanksgiving story is beautiful –it just shows what compassionate, kind, generous and thoughtful people you are and it illustrates powerfully how a simple act of kindness can positively change many lives for the better. Thank you both for your acts of kindness and generosity and may it inspire more acts of kindness and generosity from us all

:hug: :hug:

[yorkiemommie1]

44. thanks for sharing this

i passed it along, too.

after reading the entire thread, i must thank all of your for posting them. Esp. since my self-righteous rw brother wondered why the hotel workers here in LA want a 'living wage' since they 'already make 6.75/hr.'. Kind of a heartless thing to say any time but esp. when a thanksgiving feast is on the table in front of you.

my rw dh stood up for the hotel workers, bless him!

[Synnical]

45. You're amazing

Thanks for all you do. And I'm in awe that you could post this so soon after losing Ed.

Thank you, you're inspiring.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[Jcrowley]

46. Good on ya'

If not for the turn of a friendly card

K&R

[KT2000]

47. How wonderful!

of you and your husband and your friend Tom. It was putting the pieces back together - and we all need help.
Thank you for posting this.

[Hekate]

48. "Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind."

Thank you, Mrs. E for your wonderful story. Mr. E lives on in you and in the lives he touched, although it is so hard for you to be without him. :hug:

Two summers ago a friend of mine from the VFP passed away, a WW II vet and gentle soul. His wife chose this quote for the order of service, and it has remained in my heart:

"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." ~ Henri Frederic Amiel ~

:grouphug: to Mrs. E and the rest of you who posted tonight. Thank you all.

Hekate

[buddysmellgood]

49. I'd be thanking you even if I thought you made that up. Your story, to me, exemplifies

the ethic of Christ. It embodies the attitude that I think his teachings were all about. Happy Holidays.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

50. Holy Cow Hear Hear! Thank You For This Touching Story!

God bless you and all that you do.

[Redstone]

51. Truly touching.

Redstone

[Pierogi_Pincher]

52. Your Thanksgiving story has blessed me!

I am in awe of your fortitude. I read your post telling of your beloved husband, but wasn't able to send my thoughts and prayers until now.

Love from,

P_P