Holiday celebrations are meant to be spent with family and friends. The smell of turkey roasting in the oven, of pine from a real Christmas tree and home cooked goodies warm our hearts. We close our eyes and savor the realization: we are part of a family we love.

But what if this year, we spend the holiday all alone?

I’d like to share this testimony of what God did to meet me at Thanksgiving this year (2020).

I was feeling very sorry for myself, disappointed at what I would be missing – the smell of turkey and being home with family.

My last year’s Thanksgiving (2019) in Bar Harbor, Maine had been very difficult. That evening, I celebrated the day with strangers at the Trailhead Café next to the Criterion Theater. It was one of those community potlucks for people without family.

The food was good – no complaints there. Rather, what was so difficult was being a total stranger to everyone. I didn’t know how to start the conversation. I felt so alone.

Yet, even that day, God provided several consolations:

First, I was able to work on Thanksgiving Day at the Front Desk of the Bar Harbor Inn. This allowed me to keep my mind off the sadness of being away from family for most of the day.

Second, the General Manager brought a plate of food from his Thanksgiving Dinner for me to enjoy. It was so delicious! And the family atmosphere in which it was prepared still lingered on the plate.

This year (2020) was a little different. The hotel had to close a bit early due to a COVID-19 scare at the restaurant. Thankfully, I was able to work three more weeks in maintenance, through the holiday.