In a Place of Giving

The holiday season is over, and the kids are back to school. While it’s nice to get back to a regular routine, I hope that one thing from the holidays carries over into the new year: the art of giving.

I had a ton of reaction from my Thanksgiving Day posts with Eddie Matney in my home, helping me with my dinner. If you’re a Phoenician, you likely know who Eddie is. For those of you who don’t know him, he’s a Valley mainstay and serial restaurant owner. He’s been voted Number One Chef in the Valley by Phoenix Magazine multiple times and has been featured on national television and magazines.

Eddie also happens to be the father of one of my oldest son’s former preschool buddies and now high school classmate. And his appearance in my home wasn’t planned at all. It was only because of Eddie’s giving heart and my plea for help that he was there.

Here’s how it happened…

On Thanksgiving morning, Jack was at a pick-up football game with a group of his friends. Even though we were hosting over 21 people for dinner later, Jeff and I decided to go watch. Jeff had looked up recipes for the meal and we figured we could visit with the other families and make it home in time to make the meal—if we only stayed for 40 minutes.

Eddie happened to be there and we exchanged some small talk. He asked how we planned to cook the turkey and as I explained what we planned to do, his eyes grew wider. (Little did Jeff and I know that we really hadn’t thought the whole thing through.) Eddie sensed that we weren’t on the right path and told me to call him if we needed any help. After hearing Eddie’s long explanation of how to prep and cook the turkey, I was beginning to think the same thing.

When we left, Jeff dropped me off at home so he could grab the last few ingredients at the store.

I panicked and called Eddie.

In the end, my Thanksgiving was a success. All because Eddie offered to help and because I was open and willing to ask for, then accept it.

I love that during the holidays so many people are open and willing to help. They see a need and pitch in. Whether it’s buying gifts for the less fortunate, running errands for a homebound neighbor or delivering food to someone who isn’t in the best of health. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, we tend to give freely with our hearts. But once the season is over, we get back to our own day-to-day schedule and don’t always look for those ways to give back.

I couldn’t have done Thanksgiving with Eddie. We were too late to get the whole bird in the oven (unless we wanted to eat at 9 p.m.), so he deconstructed it for me—cutting the bird apart so it would cook faster. Who knew you could do that!?

I wasn’t afraid to ask for help, and Eddie stepped up in a big way.

This year, I encourage you to do the same. When you need help, ask for it. We weren’t meant to do it all ourselves. And when you see someone who you can help, do it. Offer to pitch in or just surprise someone with a gift from the heart. It doesn’t have to cost you any money and it doesn’t have to take up a whole day. It’s the little ways we can give back that make the biggest impact.

What are some ways you can give back this year? What are some things you think you’ll need help with? Can you commit to giving and receiving help?