Thanksgiving is still three weeks away, but I decided to write, not about the celebration, but about a challenge to those abundantly blessed.

Over the years, I was involved with organizations and groups that would give out food baskets. We worked hard, were given a list of people and delivered the gifts on that day.

Most of us had a “good works” mentality, which made us feel like we did something special. Many of the people on the list weren’t that much in need, but every year they expected the baskets.

This year, I decided to pick a family really desperate and in need of help.

I got the idea from one of my granddaughters who teaches school in another parish. She shared that a little boy in her class has touched her heart.

She found out that he had only one school shirt, so she decided to get him some clothes.

He often came to school hungry and never had money for a treat like the other children.

The day before Halloween, the children were talking about the costumes they would wear. When she asked the little boy if he had a costume, he said that he never had one.

She cried, called her sister and asked her to get a spider-man costume for him. When she gave it to him, he was surprised and very excited.

The young boy has five siblings and the family is in desperate need.

This Thanksgiving, Jeanne and I have decided to adopt that family.

We will provide them with a meal and also give them a cash donation.

We’re doing this, not to impress anyone, but on this special day, we want to be blessed, knowing that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Let us enjoy our holiday, but also make a commitment that each day in the future, we will be aware of the hurting people in our community.

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084; call 985-652-8477; or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.