National Tie One On Day

Tie One On Day Sharing from Amy Bissell

I especially liked the idea of sharing on the day before Thanksgiving, and since I work, I baked quick breads, which I wrapped in tea towels because I couldn't find any clean aprons! They were all dirty!

I delivered the first loaf to a single male friend and his visiting father. When I gave him the wrapped bread, I told him how thankful I was for him and his friendship and that he and his dad were blessings to me. He was stunned! Speechless! He said I had made a very long day much nicer, then he hugged me and said thank you. Leaving his home, I felt like I was walking on air.

The second loaf went to my neighbors to the left of us. They are very quiet, even though they have 3 precious boys. Every once in a while, a ball or toy will "climb" over the fence and they will come to the door, politely ask if they could retrieve it, and wait until I can open the gate for them to go into the backyard. (One of the boys asked me to his birthday party this year!) When the mom answered the doorbell, I also told her how thankful I was that they lived next door to us, that her sons were a joy to me, and that I wanted them to have the bread. She, too, was just stunned. She thanked me for making her day and was so grateful for the gift. I am walking about 2 feet off the ground now! I left the third bread in a safe place on another neighbor’s porch. I still haven't seen them—our schedules just don't connect—but the bread was gone the next day.

I put notes with each of the breads, and Wayne and I included our friends and neighbors in our Thanksgiving prayers. More often, I should sit down and write a note of thanks to others who make me feel so honored/blessed by their love and friendship. Thank you for putting into action what became a more wonderful day because I shared a loaf of bread.

Amy Bissell