Thanksgiving 2008

As a child I was always told "Stranger= DANGER", don't open the door, don't accept candy or gifts, especially never ever pick up hitchhikers. Till now I have followed that rule, and just like many other folks I seem to look the other way most of the time. A few days ago, just like any other day, I was heading to my job and had the weirdest experience that might in fact have broken that rule. My job is located in the city limits of Creedmoor TX and Austin TX about 15-20 minutes by car. I was passing through the last suburb neighborhood and entering the vacant country road, when my eye caught a glimpse of a hitchhiker with his tumb raised up. I didn't even care to bother if the hitchhiker was male or female or if it's apperance might of raised some compassion in my heart to at least consider picking the hitchhiker up and offering a ride. Instead I looked past, as you might look at a tree or a mile marker but give no immportance to it. With the radio blasting and the wind blowing, making plans in my mind for my day, I didn't even notice when the car had stopped and next to my window there he was the hitchhiker, the rule my father taught me had been broken. Fear ran through my mind, all I kept thinking about is just step on the gas and drive, and how the hell my car had stopped, my foot was defiantly on the gas and not the break. However, paralyzed and confused, with a country road straight ahead, and the hitchhiker next to my window giving me thanks, only left me with one answer. I said " Get in", suspicously and checking out his appearance, trying to ease my fear. He was and elderly white male, carrying a bag of basic groceries, milk, eggs, bread, fruit and a few vegetables. His name was Bill, and observing his walk i noticed he inclined mostly on one leg and dragged the other one behind. He told me that the state recently revoked his driver's license, and that his home was about two miles further down the country road. He was very polite and carried a very nice conversation and I began to feel comfortable of the decision made. His family had been living for many years in the area, but now he was the last one left living alone with his two dogs on small mobile home. Then he sort of blanked out, and I asked him if we were getting close it took him a while, his gaze sort of got lost and kind of sad. " I was just recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and that is the main reason my license got revoked, and because city buses don't usually come into these areas I have to hitchhike in order to get around, but I am ok with that as long as I can still remember my house and this is it." His home looked very abandoned, but as soon as he got out and said thank-you his dogs ran to meet up with him. As I drove of I began to cry because most of the time my selfishness has blinded me of a world I prefer to look past. I Hope that this Thanksgiving we all take time to give thanks for the simple things in life, such as health, love, and our family and friends. Don't let this Holiday just be about the food, sales, and sleeping in. Make it about looking at something or someone and not past them. Happy Thanksgiving.