StoryFinder: The Thanksgiving Edition

Grandpa is gearing up for fatherhood again with his much younger wife. A construction worker opting for anger management over jail time. A woman questioning why it took so long to realize the marriage was over. How many kids did you have at age 32? These and other stories are in the Thanksgiving Edition of StoryFinder.

It’s one of the most dreaded moments at the Thanksgiving table. “Before we give thanks, let’s go around the table and say what we’re thankful for.” How many side dishes got lukewarm while family members were scrambling for something to say besides, “My family?”

I was brave enough to ask the question. But not at the Thanksgiving dinner table. My query was for people I would never see again: My Rideshare clients. All the names have been changed, but the stories are accurately documented.

Todd was an early-morning Thanksgiving Eve rider flying out west to visit his girlfriend. He’s been in Nashville since this summer. When I asked him why he moved to the Music City, he quickly replied, “Because I don’t want my kids growing up in Vegas!”

I took the bait, found out he didn’t have children, and began to wonder if the relationship with the girlfriend would last beyond Thanksgiving weekend. Todd moves around a lot with his contract construction job, and he’s in Nashville working on the new football stadium.

“Todd, it’s so cool that you build offices, stadiums, and buildings that will last for generations,” I said, after listening to him school me on the state of the universe. “Yeah, I guess,” he said, rather unimpressed with himself.

The Thanksgiving question is asked with a few minutes left in the ride. If it gets awkward, then we don’t have far to drive. “I’m thankful I’ve controlled my anger issues,” was his reply. These are the times I wish I had asked the question ten minutes out. The tangents and follow-ups are plentiful with that type of response.

When I complimented him, I asked him if he had gotten professional help to manage his anger. “No. I had the option of controlling my anger or going to jail,” was his matter-of-fact reply.

You know who dislikes Christmas music? Retail workers. Mary Jo was opening a Cracker Barrel early Wednesday morning and working a 12-hour shift. “I’m thankful I get a day off Friday without having to listen to Christmas music,” was her Thanksgiving gratitude this year.

Had I known at the beginning of the ride that Mary Jo was going to Cracker Barrel, I would’ve gladly spent the time talking about this year’s logo drama. As we pulled in, I learned Cracker Barrel has a Hot Box in the lobby on Thanksgiving Day. You walk in and get a prepared takeout meal in a box. Remember this for next year.

The shorter rides created more natural feedback. By the time we finished our introductory small talk and weather analysis, I slipped easily into, “Hey, I’m asking all my clients today, ‘What are you thankful for this year?’”

Caroline is thankful for her new community after moving from out of state. “Have you ever lived away from home?” I asked the Gaylord employee. Her “no” answer resonated, and I told her the first community away from home would be one of the most memorable of her lifetime. Her favorite Thanksgiving dish is sweet potato casserole.

One of my favorite StoryFinder reactions is when someone pauses. I know I’m getting a thoughtful response. Thomas was visiting from Cincinnati, and his answer created a series of possible follow-up questions. However, the questions didn’t materialize because he responded with 45 seconds remaining in his ride.

“I’m thankful for my dad. He’s 67 and having another child…with his 37-year-old wife.” Put the brakes on (naturally, because we arrived at our destination, but it was a put-the-brakes-on response).

“Tell me more, quickly. Obviously, it’s Dad’s second marriage,” I said. He affirmed my statement and then educated me. His Dad had his vasectomy reversed. Drop the turkey leg. I didn’t know that was possible. “Oh, yeah,” said the son. “You can have it done and undone as many times as you want.”

Teresa, the piano tuner. That’s a good gig in Nashville. I told her I assumed she was a musician, and that’s what led her into this job. “Well, kinda,” was her response. She played the piano and didn’t want to pay to have it tuned, so she learned to tune it herself. 

However, the opportunity to work as a tuner and piano repair technician happened because Teresa had a background in construction and carpentry. She said it was the best job she’d ever had. I told her it was the best skill-meets-passion story of the day.

Fatimah moved from Malaysia to the United States six months ago. I picked her up at the DMV and dropped her at her apartment for the first stop on the trip. When she got back in the car, I started the second destination, and I realized we were going back to the DMV.

“Let me guess, you forgot a form of ID with your current address,” I said. She laughed and said, “How did you know?” I’ve lived in too many states, and I know the DMV. I know why people wait in line for 75 minutes only to be told by the Department of Motor Vehicles agent that they need to go home and get more paperwork.

Fatimah’s gratitude was simple and the most believable. She was thankful to be living in the United States and to have a job as a cook. She was one of two clients to ask me what I was thankful for. “I’m thankful for this job because I get to meet interesting people like you,” was my response. 

“Time doesn’t make us change. It just reminds us that we haven’t.”

There was Anna, thankful for her new relationship this year. She got divorced after 22 years. I wanted to know how long it took from the moment she knew the marriage wasn’t going to work until she finally decided to end the marriage.

“Seven years,” she said. “It’s just crazy, isn’t it?” I had two responses to Anna. “Time isn’t crazy when you’re in the middle of it. It’s only crazy when you step aside and watch it.” (I’m going to save that one for a song lyric). Here’s the second verse I said to Anna: “Time doesn’t make us change. It just reminds us that we haven’t.”

Milton was a polite and engaging 32-year-old with a perma-smile. My car was quiet and playing smooth jazz. I know one reason he was smiling. Milton was thankful for his kids, all seven of them, the youngest born just two weeks ago to the second mother, or “Baby Mama,” as he ID’d her.

“You know what causes this, right?” was my Dad Joke response as we fist bumped and wished each other a Happy Thanksgiving.

The final rider put the whole day and the holiday in perspective. Ellen lived alone and was celebrating Thanksgiving alone. I nurtured that moment to see if there was more to the story, but she seemed fine with her Thanksgiving celebration. She would enjoy the day away from work. 

Her pause in response to my gratitude question seemed longer than usual. “I’m thankful for my health this year,” she said. “You see, I’ve had several peers pass away or get very sick this year. I’m doing okay.” She thanked me for the conversation as she got out of the car to go into Walgreens.

Until next week, be curious and find a story.