One day while Elliott was playing ball at the park he saw a man with a shopping cart. Elliott thought why would that man have a shopping cart at the park. It was getting near dark so Elliott left the park to go home. The next day when Elliott returned he saw the same man with that cart. Elliott went over to the man. "Hello", the man said to Elliott. "I'm Harold." "Hi, I'm Elliott." "Harold why do you have this cart?" The man said, "this is my heart Elliott. Everything I own is in this cart." Elliott was so surprised. He said to Harold, "do you have any family?" "No", said Harold. "Well what are you going to do for Thanksgiving...where will you eat?" "Well, I don't know", Harold said. Elliott was not happy. He felt sad for Harold. Elliott said, "I have to go but I'll be back tomorrow." Harold smiled. Elliott ran home.

"Mom and Dad...I have a new friend! His name is Harold! He has no home, no food and he lives in the park Mom...with all he owns in a cart! It's Thanksgiving...can't we help Harold?" So Elliott's dad went to the park the next day with Elliott to meet Harold. "Hello", said Leo. "I'm Elliott's dad. You must be Harold." "Yes", the man nodded. After a while Elliott's dad asked Harold if he would like to come and share Thanksgiving with their family. Elliott was so happy. Harold was nervous, but he said, "OK". Elliott's dad took Harold with his cart home. He said, "Harold we'll put your stuff right here next to mine. It will be locked up tight and it will be fine."

Then Leo introduced Harold to Elliott's mom Loretta. "Hello", Loretta said. "Nice to meet you", Harold said. Leo took Harold upstairs and gave him some fresh clothes. Harold was so excited. He hadn't shared Thanksgiving in years. His heart was filled with joy and his eyes with tears. After Thanksgiving, Elliott's mom and dad took Harold to a place where he could get some care. He finally had a bed to sleep in. Harold said he hadn't done that in years. Since meeting Harold, Elliott and his mom and dad decided that every year they would visit Harold and bring him holiday cheer. They also donated turkey and goodies for all of the people like Harold who were there.

The true meaning of giving, is helping when you can. So please give to your local shelters. No person should ever be hungry or cold. If we all pitch in and do our part, hopefully there will be a lot less people like Harold, lonely and sitting in the park.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
LOVE
MARIA LISA HARTGROVE AND ELLIOTT PARKS ©