Thanksgiving Lesson

He introduced himself as Wheelchair Joe and he was eager to talk. I hadn’t expected to meet anyone like him when I volunteered to help with Gold Country Calvary Chapel’s Thanksgiving meal for the homeless. I never really expected to get out of the kitchen of the Veteran’s building where the event was being held. I was a dishwasher – not a server. But I had a few minutes between pots and pans and decided to wander about and meet some of the people who came to have Thanksgiving dinner. Wheelchair Joe was waiting in the back of the room by himself. He told me a story about the front of his wheelchair falling into a sinkhole and he couldn’t get it out. He was quite stuck. He called for help but no one came to his aid. Finally, Joy Sidebottom (the amazing lady who organized the dinner) stopped to lend a hand. Wheelchair Joe was thankful for the woman he referred to as an angel. He told me how thankful he was to have a place to spend Thanksgiving. His ex-wife and children had abandoned him years ago. It seems his step-daughter falsely accused him of a crime. Scared and wanting to spare his family the pain of going through a trial he had taken a plea. He had spent more than 15 years in prison. When he got out he had nothing. His parents and only brother had passed away. He had no one and no place to go. He lives on the streets and is dependent on the kindness of the Joy Sidebottoms of this world. I shared the story of my brother with him and he was moved to tears. We joined hands and prayed before the meal was served and I returned to my dishes. Nothing happens by accident with God. I watched Wheelchair Joe have a second and third helping of turkey, sample a couple of pieces of pumpkin pie, then wheel himself to the care package area. He loaded his lap with a bag of groceries, thanked Joy for her kindness, and reluctantly wheeled himself out of the building into the drizzling rain. I cried then. A lie cost him everything and try as he might he’ll never be able to get back what was taken from him. Wheelchair Joe wasn’t a bitter man though. He wasn’t seeking revenge. He just wanted a chance to talk about his life and for a moment believe he was valued by someone. I admired his strength of heart and found myself wishing I could be like him, void of anger or resentment. I miss my brother and hate what was done to him. Rick and Wheelchair Joe have a great deal in common. Before we parted company Wheelchair Joe reminded me of something Socrates once said. “False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.” I know forgiveness is the only cure for the infection, but I’m not there yet. I’m thankful I got to meet Wheelchair Joe. What an example of the heart triumphing over the human condition.