Thanksgiving Plates and Shared Prayers
I’ve always believed that Thanksgiving is more than just a meal - it’s a time to reflect on gratitude and faith. Mitchell understands this too. Though we’ve never sat at the same table, I know we share something special: a deep connection to our Christian beliefs and the true meaning of this holiday.
The spread of food tells a story of its own. I imagine us passing around a golden-brown turkey, its skin crisp and perfectly roasted. There would be my dad’s famous cornbread stuffing - the one with sage and bits of celery that Mitchell would probably love. Cranberry sauce, bright and tangy, would sit next to a mountain of creamy mashed potatoes. Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows - a dish I know Mitchell would appreciate, with its perfect balance of sweet and comfort.
Mitchell is different from anyone else in our town. He’s got this smile that seems to light up every room he enters - the kind of smile that makes people stop and take notice. But there’s more to him than just that infectious grin. He’s always on a mission, like he’s got some greater purpose driving him forward. While others might see him as aloof, I see someone deeply focused and intentional.
When I think about Thanksgiving, I imagine Mitchell reading from the Bible before a meal, probably choosing a passage about gratitude from Psalms or Thessalonians. He’d have that quiet intensity, that way of speaking that makes everyone listen. I can picture him talking about being thankful not just for the green bean casserole or the pumpkin pie cooling on the windowsill, but for the blessings we often take for granted.
We both believe that Thanksgiving is about more than just food. It’s about recognizing God’s providence, about understanding that every good thing comes from above. Mitchell seems like the type who would remind everyone at the table that our true abundance isn’t measured by the number of dishes, but by the love and grace we’ve been given.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to actually spend Thanksgiving with Mitchell. Would we discuss our favorite Bible verses between bites of turkey and stuffing? Would we talk about how grateful we are for our faith, our families, our community? His smile would probably be there the whole time - that smile everyone talks about, the one that seems to carry a secret of pure joy.
He’s always moving, always on some kind of mission. I’ve seen him around town, purposeful in his steps, like he’s got something important to do. But even in his busyness, there’s a sense of peace about him. A reminder that being focused doesn’t mean being disconnected - if anything, it means being more deeply connected to what truly matters.
This Thanksgiving, I’ll think about Mitchell. About our shared beliefs. About the meaning of gratitude. About the warm dishes that bring people together. And about that smile of his that seems to say more than words ever could.