It was a few days before Thanksgiving and my three pre-school children, and I were shopping at the old Safeway where the Union County library sits now. I shopped with food stamps, but my kids were oblivious to what that meant.
Outside Safeway sat a large barrel with a sign asking for donations for holiday food baskets. My kids were curious as to why there was food in the barrel. I explained these items were for needy children so they would have food for Thanksgiving Day. My three young offspring became excited, and unanimously agreed we should buy some food to put into the barrel for the "poor people". These young children had no idea we were poor, that we qualified for government surplus cheese, milk and butter, that we depended on church "food pantries" around town at the end of each month when the food stamps were gone, or that we would be one of the families receiving a Thanksgiving basket.
How amazing my kids thought we were rich. What could I do but agree with them to make a donation to the barrel. In Safeway we carefully choose several food items which the kids approved of because they thought the poor children would enjoy them. Oh, to have the gratitude my brood showed that day so many years ago while we lived in poverty! They felt rich because in their minds and hearts they were rich!
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