Thanksgiving was always my holiday ever since I learned how to cook a turkey from my Home Economics teacher, Miss Mills. I was thirteen years old when I cooked my first Thanksgiving. My father had given me some money to buy a turkey. I was excited to cook my first holiday meal. It started as a simple dinner with turkey and a few side dishes. I laid all the dishes on the table only to find out that my family had committed to going next door to the Capans to have Thanksgiving. I nearly cried but to my amazement, my family came back and ate the dinner I made for them.

As the years went by, the holiday turned more elaborate especially since Martha Stewart became a holiday icon in our house. In later years, I made two turkeys, one roasted and another fried. I spent money on fancy dishes, platters, gravy boats, cloth napkins, stemware and matching silverware. I even made fancy menus with activities for the kids on the back.

Then I watched a documentary, Zeitgeist, a futuristic view on a world without money. The concept shook me to the core. I was always motivated by money. Whenever I was job hunting, I said money was my main motivation for working. Zeitgeist took me to The Venus Project led by Jacques Fresco. I wanted his dream for the future to become a reality so badly. I emailed them to see how I can help. I was still very religious at this time and it turns out that TVP was anti-religion. Now my eyes just kept opening. How can a future with no god and no money exist? Then I discovered our American Patriot, Thomas Paine’s Age of Reason. Paine was a minister in England before coming to the New Land. With Benjamin Franklin’s support, he advocated for Deism. Another light bulb moment for me here. I always thought the USA was founded on Christianity; come to find out most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Deists. Well this threw my religious beliefs out the window.

As you can imagine, minimalism was sure to follow. What did we need all this stuff for? While I was working, the reason was always, “It’s good for the economy”. Work, make money then BUY! BUY! BUY! I watched The Matrix when it came out and got it right away but never realized I was just a battery too. So once I took the Red Pill, there was no going back. I kept going. I found out how Monsanto, the evil chemical company, was taking over our food system. Our food was no longer FOOD but a chemical cocktail Monsanto created.

As if that wasn’t enough to make someone vomit, I came across Animal Agriculture! That was the hardest discovery of all. The pain and suffering these animals go through only to be slaughtered at the end can put someone into a deep depression. I try to wake people up but they don’t want to wake up. They continue to consume tortured body parts and then they wonder why they get sick and die young.

Back to Thanksgiving. I was happily making vegan Thanksgiving for my family and friends but I found out later that I was being ostracized behind my back. Although the meals I made was equally as good without any suffering, they wanted dead animals on the table!  So my reason for celebrating the holiday went downhill. The holiday became confusing and lonely.

Until I found Chili’s on Wheels (CoW). Michelle Carrera, founder, was an inspiration and a breath of fresh air. The first year I volunteered, I had no badge but I got behind the table and served people anyway. I knew no one, not even Michelle but it was gratifying. I’ve been celebrating the holiday with Michelle and crew for years now. Every year, I make more friends. My good friend, Eloisa, has since taken over Michelle’s challenging role and doing a wonderful job!

I’ve found my true tribe! One who I am very thankful for and they show gratitude in return.