I have great memories of Thanksgiving’s going to the Vance Hotel for lunch or going to the S&W cafeteria in Raleigh and eating upstairs. Then there was one Thanksgiving when I was invited to the mountains, my sister was invited to the beach, and my brother was on a hunting trip. When we got home, Daddy was complaining that all he had for Thanksgiving was Navy beans! For the next 30 years he reminded my mother of that and it became a family joke. It is good to have fond memories.
But, here is a holiday memory that still haunts me even 25 years after an honest ninth grader wrote in his journal about his anticipated Thanksgiving. This is my recollection:
“The bus will get me almost home to Townsville this afternoon and I know it is going to be cold walking the rest of the way and the first thing I have to do is to feed all the dogs. One is real mean and he will bite. Breaking the ice on the water pan is when he goes after me. Then I will go in and heat up some beans for supper. Daddy will still be asleep so I get in the wood and try to keep warm and him from waking up. In a little while his buddies will come over and they will start gambling. I have to stay awake so Daddy won’t start shooting when he gets drunk. His buddies will want me to fry them some eggs but we don’t have eggs in the house. On Thanksgiving Day Daddy will sleep most of the day. My aunt has promised to bring me a piece of lemon pie because that is my favorite. She told me my mama always made it when she was alive. I sure hope she does not forget. Not much else different will happen. I will wash my clothes in the tub if the weather is not freezing and will watch a little TV. Then back on the bus to the ninth grade on Monday and I will see if I got it right about what my holiday was going to be.”
All of us hope that no one goes without good things to eat this holiday season and beyond, but we also need to be reminded that our community’s youth need safety, security, proper shelter, wholesome influences, good role models, and moral guidance.
This young man’s journal entry reminds us that this is not always the case. He was one of the many young people in our community who lacked adequate support and resources 25 years ago and the same story could be told today.
So, this Thanksgiving, if you believe that we are our brother’s keeper, think about what is possible that you can do to help, then do it.
Mrs. Yount,
It’s sad to believe that this type of misfortune falls onto the backs of our youth. You would think in a city/county with 100+ Churches that these types of things wouldn’t occur but for some reason or another some of the Churches aren’t reaching out far enough to reach our youth. My question is where are the self-proclaimed community activists/reverends/pastors/preachers and what are they doing for the youth of Vance County?(other than complaining about not being allowed to coach?)!!
Well said, Deception. Tonight I was a victim. Happy Thanksgiving!
Way to go Henderson!!!! You have once again made WRAL news with a MURDER at a Church function on Thanksgiving. The news reports say that Barry Wilkerson was shot and killed at a Church function yesterday around 10 pm. You wonder why people that can afford to have moved on to other locations? Perfect example of another senseless crime at a Church of all places!!!!!!!!