Being gentle with others. The story goes this way, as I remember it told to me. If I get a detail wrong you will still get the message. It took place several years ago about this time.
In the states, we begin to make our Thanksgiving holiday plans up to a month or more in advance. Getting back to the home nest is paramount.
As an example, airlines are crushed as people try to get to and from. The local news schleps out to the airport and takes footage of the traveling throngs. Then they follow the video with questions, “Where are you from? Where are you going? How are you handling it?” The media could recycle an interview from 1972. Nothing has changed.
Thanksgiving with Friends
The woman, whose daughter was in my karate class, started telling me about a friend. Their friend has a Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family. They attend. Several years ago, the guests were arriving for the Thanksgiving celebration. The knocks on the door began at the appointed arrival time.
The person closest to the door would answer the knocks, “Welcome!” A man, solo, responded by offering a pie with a “Hello, good to be here, thanks for inviting me.” While stepping into the house.
A Surprise Guest
After some time, it became clear that no group of people at the dinner knew him, nor did he know them. He was from another country and this was his first Thanksgiving.
The guy had been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner at a different address. The address where he ended up was similar to a co-worker’s address. It was kind of co-workers to make sure the man was not alone on the holiday.
Once the mix-up was made clear a laugh was had, and a, “Well, you are here, stay enjoy, we are having a good time.” Being gentle with others, it is a great thing.
He did stay. And was asked to come back next year, which he did. And for several years he attended. He stopped coming for Thanksgiving dinner when he had his own family. He then rightfully became committed to that experience.
What a wonderful moment. A wonderful story of people being nice to one another. No conditions, no litmus test, just being gentle with others.
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KRIS WILDER
Kris Wilder is a martial artist based in Seattle Washington. He has authored many martial art books, including the classic, The Way of Kata. Making no apologies for his obsession of Football he can be found telling any who will listen about the nuances of the Canadian Football League.