Thanks for Giving

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell is like." The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table.

In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand."

It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."

Thank you my friend, Jessica, for taking the time to give this to me. You're a good person and I miss not teaching with you at the same school. As I woke up fattened from the delicious feast I was invited to yesterday, I am thankful for my children jumping into my arms and the plate prepared for me when I arrived.

Although it is may be true that there are people in our lives who focus on what they can get from us, it is also true that there are many more who want to give. Even though it seems some people only complain about what we're not giving to them, there are many more who appreciate and are genuinely thankful for what we do give, opening us up to giving even more.

The day of Thanksgiving is one of focusing on giving to and "feeding" each other, and being thankful to others who are feeding us. It is a holiday, a special day.... just like this day is. Imagine if we take every day as a special day, a holiday of giving "good food" to others and appreciating the nourishing food others are giving to us.


The nourishment of sending kisses in the air to a child and having them returned to you. (Kisses in the Air)


The feeding of a child's soul because you kept a promise to them and forming an unbreakable bond together. (Keeping a Promise)

Being thankful for a lifetime of a grandmother's love and giving her flowers that will last forever. (Drawings For My Family)

Loving a child so completely that she completely loves herself. (Bella's Drawings)

Being so amazed with someone that you feel lucky to have them in your life and they feel lucky to have you in theirs. (The Magnificent Sun)

Enjoying the spirit of a child and having them fill your life with laughter. (Georgie Porgie Run and Hide)

For a student who gave his teacher his best so much that his teacher will continue to give his student his best, no matter how long he's in the hospital. (Patty Boy Blemur)

Thankful for the magic and power of caring in the future of a student so much that they care just as much about themself. Jessica scored in the top 1% of the country on a recent nationwide reading test, definitively becoming the best of the best and more importantly, so confident now that she is unstoppable in making her dreams come true! (Smiles and Hugs, Affect My Life)