Written by Jeremy Hawkins
A Good Story
I am a sucker for a good story. As Lynnie and I discussed what to post this week, we thought it might be fun and fitting to share this Thanksgiving story1 from over 80 years ago.
What Does Turkey Taste Like?
The family always gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. Gladys put the turkey in the “big oven” over at Annie’s, and the sisters took turns checking its progress. Spence had charge of setting the table after he got home from four hours at the print shop and before he and the boys went to the annual University of Utah versus Utah State football game, which started at noon. Rusty, Spence, Rich, Jack, Tom, and Bob scrambled to get there for the kickoff. The Monsons were Ute fans, and in 1940 they cheered for Marge’s new boyfriend, Conway Dearden, on the football team and then watched as she marched on the field with the “Spurs” club at halftime.
One year, the home was buzzing with Thanksgiving preparations when Charlie Renshaw, a friend from over the back fence, stood outside, as was the custom of these young friends, and hollered, “Tom-my!”
When Tommy answered the summons, Charlie said, “It sure smells good in there. What are you eating?”
Tommy told him it was turkey, and Charlie asked what turkey tasted like.
Tom responded, “Oh, about like chicken,” to which Charlie asked, “What does chicken taste like?”
Tom ran into the kitchen, snatched a piece of breast meat, and handed it to his friend. “That’s good!” the boy said.
When Tom asked what Charlie’s family was having for dinner, the answer was, “I dunno. There’s nothing in the house.”
Tom pondered. He knew his mother always found something to feed those who came to the door. He had no extra turkeys, chickens, or money. But he did have two pet rabbits, a male and female, the pride of his life, beautiful New Zealand whites. He motioned to his friend and headed for the specially constructed rabbit hutch built by one of his uncles. He reached in and grabbed his two pet rabbits, put them in a gunnysack, and handed the bag to Charlie.
“Rabbit meat tastes better than chicken,” Tom said. “Their hide makes really good knuckle pads when you are playing marbles. You know, you can sell the hides for a quarter each over at the hide company. These two rabbits will give your family a good dinner.”
Charlie was on the fence—the boys used the fences like sidewalks in his neighborhood—and heading for his yard before Tom could close the door to his empty rabbit hutch. He realized he had given all he had. He had met someone else’s need and did not regret it. The pattern was in place: “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. . . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Care Packages
As I think about this story, I can clearly remember times when I was in Tom’s shoes (albeit not with pet rabbits to give to a friend) and times when I was in Charlie’s. By the grace of God I have found myself in Tom’s shoes more often, but my time in Charlie’s has probably been more memorable. For example, I remember one time as a teenager helping to deliver care packages to others in my faith community (to those who may have gone without if it weren’t for those packages). I was driving a group of youth in my family’s minivan, enjoying this simple act of service. When we got down to the last package I asked who it was for. The leader of our congregation kindly told me that it was for my family. At that point I wasn’t entirely oblivious to my family’s financial situation, but I didn’t understand it to the full extent. (My parents protected their kids from much of what they faced.) I didn’t know enough then to comprehend how much of a blessing that care package was to my family.
About 15 years ago I found myself in a similar situation this, this time as a parent, and what nearly became dire circumstances. I was between faculty positions–one had ended mid-October unexpectedly and the other would not begin until the following August. Somehow we made it through because of tender mercies bestowed upon us by earthly and heavenly angels.
Seeing the Blessings
In the thick of those situations, I likely more readily identified the bothers that were quite easy to see. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, time has removed most of those from my memory. However, looking back on these two experiences from the comfort of 2024, I can easily identify blessings. Some examples from the latter instance include neighbors giving us $100 for shoveling snow (when we were shoveling the snow because it was the right thing to do), my former boss helping me find part-time work (work where I gained experience that I still use in my teaching today), a new institution who took a chance on me (allowing me to gain knowledge needed to get the job I have now), and friends and family who watched over the house we left behind as we went through the short-sale process from many states away. The path was only lit one step ahead, but it was lit.
Where Are You?
Where do you find yourself this Thanksgiving? Whether you are in a position to give or receive, we hope that you will take a few minutes to count your blessings and that you will find your tally is in favor of the blessings over the bothers. Happy Thanksgiving!
As always, your message is uplifting and a good reminder to be grateful for all we have.