Young man who was accidentally invited to 'grandma's' Thanksgiving as a teen keeps tradition going

[Chomsky]

(CNN) After an accidental Thanksgiving invite in 2016 introduced Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench, they are still going strong.

The two first met in 2016 when Dench, from Mesa, Az., sent a text inviting Hinton over for dinner. It was meant for her grandson, who had changed his phone number. Instead, Hinton got the message while sitting in class at Desert Vista High School.

The two figured out the mistake, then sent selfies to each other, with Hinton asking if he could still come over. Dench texted, "Of course you can. That's what grandmas do ... feed everyone."

Young man who was accidentally invited to 'grandma's' Thanksgiving as a teen celebrates 6th year of dinner together | CNN

After an accidental Thanksgiving invite in 2016 introduced Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench, they celebrated yet again.

www.cnn.com

--

It's time for a 'feel good' story!

But in all seriousness, with the Holidays upon us, and Advent approaching, I do think we need to turn our eyes, hearts, and souls, towards the true meaning of the Holiday season. I think the family holding the dinner embodies that spirit well!

From my earliest memories, we always had the 'extra' place setting at our family holiday meals. My Mom & Pops (and grandparents!) displayed their Faith & Social Conscience well, by incorporating this beautiful tradition. They said the extra setting was, 'for Christ'. Of course in Catholic tradition & theology, 'Christ' is embodied in all those around us, particularly the most needy & marginalized. When you receive a needy visitor, you are receiving Christ into your house! You are blessed by His presence!

While this tradition is often is symbolic, back in the old neighborhood that place setting was put to practical use. Being an ethnic big-city neighborhood of immigrant stock, with many newly arrived from displaced areas, the place had its share of social woes. Consequently, there were some kids & young adults who did not have a family or family structure to share a holiday meal. And over time, several gravitated to our house on a regular holiday basis, and the extra place settings grew as they would show-up, often unannounced, but always welcomed. Despite their social woes sometimes causing them to occasionally fall short in perfect behavior or manners, when they came over they did their very best to be polite, congenial, and were good company. This also went for one beautiful kid who obviously suffered from mental retardation. He really broke our hearts, because he had a very kind heart, a really beautiful kid, but due to his disability and lack of a supportive family or other support network, we knew he would struggle through life - and he did! He was on the streets! And after maybe 5 or 6 years of dinners with us, one time he just never showed up again. And our place setting was never the same, because this kid-turned-young-man never missed a holiday with us.

Anyway, it sounds like the family in my OP follows those principles and I commend them for it!

Wishing everyone here a happy start to the Holiday Season!

[If you follow this tradition, or have similar stories, please feel free to chime-in & post your experiences!]

 

[BirdinHand]

From my earliest memories, we always had the 'extra' place setting at our family holiday meals.

My family, Irish Catholics, also had this tradition. And I've greatly enjoyed following the story of this grandmother and her now new "family" that continues this tradition.

As we grew up, it included bringing our friends to the table. Those that didn't have a "big family" dinner to go to, or had parents working that day, etc.

As I've become an adult, it has included inviting single people, individuals without family/friends to celebrate with, etc to my own table. Every. single. year. My friends and I also do a "Friendsgiving" annually, on a separate day from the holiday. (Ours is this weekend). We will gather together as our "friend family" on Sunday and share a meal...because on Thanksgiving, several are travelling to their extended families for the actual holiday.

I'm hosting my in-laws and several friends from my neighborhood that are single at my house on Thanksgiving this year. And the "extra place setting" will be there, just in case.

 

[Superfly]

I love hearing that they still have Thanksgiving together. I remember hearing this on the Today Show when it happened.

 

[Port & Starboard]

Young man who was accidentally invited to 'grandma's' Thanksgiving as a teen celebrates 6th year of dinner together | CNN

After an accidental Thanksgiving invite in 2016 introduced Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench, they celebrated yet again.

www.cnn.com

--

It's time for a 'feel good' story!

But in all seriousness, with the Holidays upon us, and Advent approaching, I do think we need to turn our eyes, hearts, and souls, towards the true meaning of the Holiday season. I think the family holding the dinner embodies that spirit well!

From my earliest memories, we always had the 'extra' place setting at our family holiday meals. My Mom & Pops (and grandparents!) displayed their Faith & Social Conscience well, by incorporating this beautiful tradition. They said the extra setting was, 'for Christ'. Of course in Catholic tradition & theology, 'Christ' is embodied in all those around us, particularly the most needy & marginalized. When you receive a needy visitor, you are receiving Christ into your house! You are blessed by His presence!

While this tradition is often is symbolic, back in the old neighborhood that place setting was put to practical use. Being an ethnic big-city neighborhood of immigrant stock, with many newly arrived from displaced areas, the place had its share of social woes. Consequently, there were some kids & young adults who did not have a family or family structure to share a holiday meal. And over time, several gravitated to our house on a regular holiday basis, and the extra place settings grew as they would show-up, often unannounced, but always welcomed. Despite their social woes sometimes causing them to occasionally fall short in perfect behavior or manners, when they came over they did their very best to be polite, congenial, and were good company. This also went for one beautiful kid who obviously suffered from mental retardation. He really broke our hearts, because he had a very kind heart, a really beautiful kid, but due to his disability and lack of a supportive family or other support network, we knew he would struggle through life - and he did! He was on the streets! And after maybe 5 or 6 years of dinners with us, one time he just never showed up again. And our place setting was never the same, because this kid-turned-young-man never missed a holiday with us.

Anyway, it sounds like the family in my OP follows those principles and I commend them for it!

Wishing everyone here a happy start to the Holiday Season!

[If you follow this tradition, or have similar stories, please feel free to chime-in & post your experiences!]

How America should be.

 

[Rumpelstil]

Let's keep the tradition going!​

 

[Chomsky]

My family, Irish Catholics, also had this tradition. And I've greatly enjoyed following the story of this grandmother and her now new "family" that continues this tradition.

As we grew up, it included bringing our friends to the table. Those that didn't have a "big family" dinner to go to, or had parents working that day, etc.

As I've become an adult, it has included inviting single people, individuals without family/friends to celebrate with, etc to my own table. Every. single. year. My friends and I also do a "Friendsgiving" annually, on a separate day from the holiday. (Ours is this weekend). We will gather together as our "friend family" on Sunday and share a meal...because on Thanksgiving, several are travelling to their extended families for the actual holiday.

I'm hosting my in-laws and several friends from my neighborhood that are single at my house on Thanksgiving this year. And the "extra place setting" will be there, just in case.

Sorry I took so long to respond.

Yep, sounds like you & yours are doing a great job with this tradition.

Once my folks moved out of the old neighborhood, only one or two of the old 'xtra plate' guests followed them out. Once I moved out of the city, it kinda' died-out with me - too. Yeah, we set the place-setting, but our visitors are never really 'unannounced'. I think it comes with the territory of living outside of the city.

While we derive satisfaction, as I'm sure you do, from hosting those that are single or our kids' roommates who would otherwise be stuck alone in a university dorm, it just doesn't feel the same of the 'really needy' that used to knock on the door of modest two-flat on our busy city street. Part of the process was not knowing who may show, or when.

I suppose I should consider reaching-out in my parish for someone I can help-out, but again that still feels contrived by my inviting - rather than them seeking & finding us!

 

[nota bene]

My family, Irish Catholics, also had this tradition. And I've greatly enjoyed following the story of this grandmother and her now new "family" that continues this tradition.

As we grew up, it included bringing our friends to the table. Those that didn't have a "big family" dinner to go to, or had parents working that day, etc.

As I've become an adult, it has included inviting single people, individuals without family/friends to celebrate with, etc to my own table. Every. single. year. My friends and I also do a "Friendsgiving" annually, on a separate day from the holiday. (Ours is this weekend). We will gather together as our "friend family" on Sunday and share a meal...because on Thanksgiving, several are travelling to their extended families for the actual holiday.

I'm hosting my in-laws and several friends from my neighborhood that are single at my house on Thanksgiving this year. And the "extra place setting" will be there, just in case.

That's how we did it at my house too, and although we did sit down at a set time, it was pretty much a come-and-go all day and well into the evening. Some came over after doing their own command-performance-with-the-in-laws thing, and really, there are lot of people who are at loose ends during the holidays.

 

[Chomsky]

How America should be.

It still is among some of us, my friend.

As individuals, we usually can't substantively 'save' or 'change' America or the world. But we can influence those we contact in our lives, and most importantly influence and instill our values in our progeny. Everything starts at home!

Have a good one!

 

[nota bene]

It still is among some of us, my friend.

As individuals, we usually can't substantively 'save' or 'change' America or the world. But we can influence those we contact in our lives, and most importantly influence and instill our values in our progeny. Everything starts at home!

Amen!

 

[Chomsky]

I love hearing that they still have Thanksgiving together. I remember hearing this on the Today Show when it happened.

OMG! A voice from the wilderness?

Good to see you again, Superfly! Thanks for contributing!

 

[Superfly]

OMG! A voice from the wilderness?

Good to see you again, Superfly! Thanks for contributing!

I'm around, luv. Just stay busy. Working now, and when I'm not working, I'm always into something.

Excellent to see you again, my friend. <hug>

 

[Chomsky]

I'm around, luv. Just stay busy. Working now, and when I'm not working, I'm always into something.

Excellent to see you again, my friend. <hug>

Been busy myself, and spending more time off-line. I'm losing some interest in debating online politics due to dealing with the delusions of the Big Lie proponents. Even as DP also has had an influx of good quality posters, which I'm grateful for.

But always good to see you! The beer's on me!

 

[Superfly]

Been busy myself, and spending more time off-line. I'm losing some interest in debating online politics due to dealing with the delusions of the Big Lie proponents. Even as DP also has had an influx of good quality posters, which I'm grateful for.

But always good to see you! The beer's on me!

Dude. I rarely talk politics at all. I've done complete radio-silence on all news-related items. I just can't. Not anymore. I'm done with the lot of it, with a few minor exceptions.

I'm trying to stay positive, as positivity begets positivity. When I watch the news, it just pisses me off. No sense in putting myself into situations that will piss me off. *shrug*

That being said, I'll always take a beer. Thanks!

 

[Chomsky]

Dude. I rarely talk politics at all. I've done complete radio-silence on all news-related items. I just can't. Not anymore. I'm done with the lot of it, with a few minor exceptions.

I'm trying to stay positive, as positivity begets positivity. When I watch the news, it just pisses me off. No sense in putting myself into situations that will piss me off. *shrug*

That being said, I'll always take a beer. Thanks!

Well, the 'Big Lie' liars are pretty worthless for any substantive discussion, but DP has had an influx of (IMO) very good posters. Granted most of this 'quality' group are anti-Trump, but there's even a few - though I would say very few - that are Trump-GOP'ers. Then there's the principled Conservatives here who are anti-Trump. They seem to be some of the most balanced posters on the board, as the are often operating by principle rather than politics.

As for me, I just can't seem to stay away from political discussion; but it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of interacting with other posters.

 

[Superfly]

Well, the 'Big Lie' liars are pretty worthless for any substantive discussion, but DP has had an influx of (IMO) very good posters. Granted most of this 'quality' group are anti-Trump, but there's even a few - though I would say very few - that are Trump-GOP'ers. Then there's the principled Conservatives here who are anti-Trump. They seem to be some of the most balanced posters on the board, as the are often operating by principle rather than politics.

As for me, I just can't seem to stay away from political discussion; but it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of interacting with other posters.

I certainly miss debating with anti-Trump conservatives, but there seem to be so few.

 

[Lovebug]

Young man who was accidentally invited to 'grandma's' Thanksgiving as a teen celebrates 6th year of dinner together | CNN

After an accidental Thanksgiving invite in 2016 introduced Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench, they celebrated yet again.

www.cnn.com

--

It's time for a 'feel good' story!

But in all seriousness, with the Holidays upon us, and Advent approaching, I do think we need to turn our eyes, hearts, and souls, towards the true meaning of the Holiday season. I think the family holding the dinner embodies that spirit well!

From my earliest memories, we always had the 'extra' place setting at our family holiday meals. My Mom & Pops (and grandparents!) displayed their Faith & Social Conscience well, by incorporating this beautiful tradition. They said the extra setting was, 'for Christ'. Of course in Catholic tradition & theology, 'Christ' is embodied in all those around us, particularly the most needy & marginalized. When you receive a needy visitor, you are receiving Christ into your house! You are blessed by His presence!

While this tradition is often is symbolic, back in the old neighborhood that place setting was put to practical use. Being an ethnic big-city neighborhood of immigrant stock, with many newly arrived from displaced areas, the place had its share of social woes. Consequently, there were some kids & young adults who did not have a family or family structure to share a holiday meal. And over time, several gravitated to our house on a regular holiday basis, and the extra place settings grew as they would show-up, often unannounced, but always welcomed. Despite their social woes sometimes causing them to occasionally fall short in perfect behavior or manners, when they came over they did their very best to be polite, congenial, and were good company. This also went for one beautiful kid who obviously suffered from mental retardation. He really broke our hearts, because he had a very kind heart, a really beautiful kid, but due to his disability and lack of a supportive family or other support network, we knew he would struggle through life - and he did! He was on the streets! And after maybe 5 or 6 years of dinners with us, one time he just never showed up again. And our place setting was never the same, because this kid-turned-young-man never missed a holiday with us.

Anyway, it sounds like the family in my OP follows those principles and I commend them for it!

Wishing everyone here a happy start to the Holiday Season!

[If you follow this tradition, or have similar stories, please feel free to chime-in & post your experiences!]

We surely need more of this and much less of...you know...that.

 

[Chomsky]

We surely need more of this and much less of...you know...that.

It's a great way to kick-off the upcoming Advent Season . . .