Happy Thanksgiving!

“Who wants turkey, and who wants ham?” asks Grandma.

“Can I have both?” asks Max.

Grandma laughs. “Why not?” she says. “It’s Thanksgiving!”

Mom, Dad, Max, Grandma, and I all fill our plates with the feast that we spent the whole day making. Even though Mom helped, and Max and I did too, Grandma was the one in charge. She started cooking as soon as she arrived this morning, and the results are amazing. We have ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, homemade rolls, and pie. Everything looks delicious.

As I sit down to dinner with my family, I can’t help but think about the food that’s on my plate. Imagining what people’s holidays would be like if they didn’t have enough food makes me sad. I feel really good knowing I did something to help a lot of people who wouldn’t have had enough to eat today.

“Honey Bee, you’re awfully quiet,” says Grandma.

I smile at her. She already knows about the food drive. It was the first thing I told her about when she got to our house this morning.

I told her about collecting the cans and the mix-up with the contest. I told her how Mrs. Finney ended up giving everyone a homework-free week and how the grocery store donated the turkeys and about the news crew that showed up. I even told her about my interview that never aired.

But what she doesn’t know about is the poem I wrote last night before I went to sleep. I pull it out of my pocket. “I have something I want to read,” I tell my family.

I’m grateful for the food on my plate.

I’m grateful for my parents.

You’re both first rate.

I’m grateful for my brother.

You’re never a bore.

I’m grateful for my cat (and dog)

that I LOVE and ADORE!

I’m grateful for my grandma,

who is so sweet.

Without you, my life would be incomplete.

I’m grateful for my friends.

They’re fun and the best.

I’m grateful for my teachers.

They all pass the test!

I’m grateful for everything I have

(which is too much to list).

If I tried to name things,

there would be stuff that I missed.

Since today is Thanksgiving,

I just want to say

I’m grateful to be here on this special day.

 

When I finish reading, Grandma puts her fork down and claps. So do Mom, Dad, and even Max.

“Mallory, that was beautiful,” says Grandma. “I’m glad to see that you’re appreciative of all that you have. And I’m really proud of you for doing something to help other people in need. Just imagine if more people did things like that.”

I smile. I know she’s saying that if they did, the world would be a better place.

And I have to agree. But as I think about what she’s saying, another thought pops into my brain. And it’s not one I’m proud of.

“Uh-oh,” says Grandma. “A minute ago you were all smiles. Now why the frown?” she asks.

“I’m just thinking about how much better my Thanksgiving has been than my Halloween,” I say.

Grandma is quiet like she’s waiting for me to explain—so I do.

“On Halloween, I went to a party at Mary Ann’s house, and then I tried to go trick-or-treating with Pamela and my other friends who didn’t want to go to the party.”

I eat a bite of turkey, and then I keep talking. “The only thing I was thinking about was what my friends were doing and what I was going to do. I didn’t want to miss out on anything.” I shrug. “It seems dumb now that I spent so much time worrying about it.”

Mom passes around a basket of rolls.

“I think you’re looking at it wrong,” she says. “You saw that you didn’t like how Halloween turned out, and you handled things differently for Thanksgiving.”

That’s true. I did. And I’m glad, even though there were some bumps along the way.

“You showed you’re aware that the world is a big place—and that other people’s lives and feelings matter as much as yours,” says Grandma.

She opens her mouth like she’s about to launch into a long speech, but Max stops her. He points to the pumpkin pie and the pecan pie on the counter. “Is it time for dessert yet?” he asks.

Grandma smiles at Max. “Almost,” she says. “I just want to say one last thing while we’re on the topic of making the world a better place.”

Max looks at the pies on the counter. I can tell he hopes whatever Grandma has to say is quick.

“I won’t be long-winded,” Grandma says as she winks at Max. “In the holiday spirit, I just want to say that it is always better to give than it is to receive.”

“I agree,” I say.

Grandma smiles at me like she approves. “Now we’re ready for pie,” she says.

“Not so fast,” says Max. “I have a question for Mallory.”

Everyone looks at my brother as he looks at me. I think they’re just as curious to hear Max’s question as I am.

“You know Christmas is coming up soon,” he says.

I nod. Everyone knows that.

Max grins. “So here’s my question. On Christmas, would you rather give or receive?”

It doesn’t take me long to think of my answer.

“Both!” I say.