I moved to Tucson September 2000.

I knew two people who lived here but it turns out that no one was available for Thanksgiving dinner.

I was lonely and depressed and wonder what I was going to do on Thanksgiving. About a week before Thanksgiving I decided to volunteer somewhere on Thanksgiving and focus on other people instead of myself.

I must’ve called at least a dozen places — churches, homeless missions, etc. and no one needed any help. I felt helpless. It just amazed me that no one needed an extra pair of hands to help out.

Although I did get one bite, I was told I could stand outside of Walgreen’s and ring the bell and try to get donations for the Salvation Army. I declined. I wanted to interact not ring a bell.

On the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, a L.A. friend decided to make the pilgrimmage here after work on Wednesday. I think it took her 12 hours to drive here.

The day before Thanksgiving, I went out and bought all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner and started making them. We had a wonderful time and it was good to share good food and friendship.

If you’re reading this and don’t have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner — I suggest you try to volunteer on that day; you may have more luck than I.  Or if you’re cooking dinner for your family, look around as I bet there are one or two of your co-workers or neighbors who don’t have anywhere to go.

I think some of this holiday rah rah is a bit overrated. It puts a lot of stress on people but then it’s good for the economy and the farmers and then there’s always the day after Thanksgiving to look forward to.

I do pity the poor retail employee who has to be at work at 4 a.m. !