The day before Thanksgiving, Michael sat in the break room, sipping his coffee and listening to his coworkers excitedly talk about their holiday plans. Some were going back to their hometowns, others planned cozy lake trips, and a few were heading off to fancy hotels with family and friends.
But Michael had no family nearby, no girlfriend, and no big plans to speak of. For him, holidays were usually quiet and lonely.
If there was any occasion he wanted to celebrate, he’d usually treat himself—maybe a solo dinner at a nice restaurant or, if he felt bold, an impulsive trip to Vegas. But this year, he’d thought he’d be with a friend. He had even looked forward to it—until his friend canceled last-minute to spend Thanksgiving with a new girlfriend instead.
Thanksgiving morning, Michael looked at all the food he’d bought, and he couldn’t help but laugh at himself. “What was I thinking?” he murmured, glancing at the spread that was way too much for one person. Then, an idea came to him. What if he shared this meal? Every day, he walked past a homeless shelter on his way home from work. Why not share Thanksgiving with the people there?
Excited, Michael got to work in his kitchen. He roasted a juicy turkey, baked a golden apple pie, and even made a rich beef and mushroom casserole. He could feel a warmth growing in his chest. “I should have done this years ago,” he thought, smiling as he packed everything into containers to take to the shelter.
At the shelter, the smell of his homemade feast turned heads. People gathered around, their eyes lighting up with surprise and excitement as he unpacked the food. “Wow!” a young boy gasped, his eyes wide as he took in the spread. “I’ve never tasted food like this before!”
Michael grinned. “There’s more where that came from!” he said, handing out plates. As he looked around, he noticed a quiet boy sitting by himself in the corner. The boy was barefoot, his shoulders hunched, and his eyes lowered.
Michael filled a plate with turkey and the works, then walked over. He knelt down beside the boy and offered the plate. “Here you go,” he said softly.
The boy looked up with misty eyes and took the plate. “Thank you. My mom used to make food like this… but now she’s too busy.”
Michael’s heart ached. “Where’s your mom?” he asked gently.
“She works all day,” the boy explained. “She’s saving so we can afford a place to live. She drops me off here in the mornings and picks me up at night.”
Michael’s chest tightened. The boy’s story hit close to home, stirring memories of his own childhood. His mother had worked tirelessly, leaving him with relatives, until one day she simply never returned. Later, his aunt and uncle passed away, leaving him truly alone. Looking at the boy, Michael felt a deep urge to help—he wanted to make sure this child never felt the loneliness he had.
That night, Michael stayed at the shelter, waiting for the boy’s mother. When she arrived, tired but relieved to see her son, Michael introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Michael. I wanted to talk to you because your son told me how hard you’re working to support him,” he said kindly.
The mother, whose name was Lindy, looked at him with surprise. Michael went on, “I own a business, and I could use an assistant. It’s a well-paying job with good hours. If you’re interested, the job’s yours.”
Lindy’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you… I don’t even know what to say.”
Michael smiled warmly. “Just say you’ll give it a try. I’d love for you both to have some stability.”
One year later, everything had changed. Michael was no longer spending Thanksgiving alone. He sat at his dining table, surrounded by Lindy and her son, Damon. Over the months, Michael and Lindy had grown close, and now, they were family.
As they settled in for the meal, Lindy looked around the table, smiling. “Shall we say grace?” she asked.
Michael took her hand, then reached for Damon’s. “Thank you, God, for this home, for the food we’re about to enjoy, and most of all, for the family You led me to,” he prayed. “I’m grateful to no longer be alone.”
After dinner, the three of them settled in for a movie marathon. They wore matching pajamas, laughing, sharing stories, and eventually falling asleep on the living room floor, wrapped up in warmth and love they hadn’t known before.
What We Can Learn
New Beginnings Are Always Possible: Michael thought he would always be alone, but opening his heart led him to the family he never expected to find.
Kindness Circles Back: Michael’s choice to share his Thanksgiving meal turned his life around, bringing love and a sense of belonging into his world.
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