Thanksgiving was just around the corner. The menu (菜谱) had been set. The shopping list was made. 1 seemed perfect. I could taste turkey and mashed potatoes (火鸡和土豆泥). Pictures of different pies, fruit and vegetables came into my mind. I couldn't 2!
The day before Thanksgiving my dad called a family meeting. He said we needed to practice being 3. "We are going to 4 at a homeless shelter (收容所) on Thanksgiving Day." I couldn't believe this was happening. So we wouldn't cook our own Thanksgiving dinner? The holiday wouldn't be the same. I thought the day would be ruined (糟蹋).
The next morning, we got up 5. I followed my father to the shelter with my sleepy eyes. I had no great expectations and felt 6 all the way. As soon as we arrived, we got to work. There was so much to be done. But all I could think about was the dinner I couldn't enjoy.
However, those thoughts soon 7. Over the next few hours, I watched hundreds of people come through the shelter. For some, this was the only hot meal they would eat that week. For others, it was the first time to eat a Thanksgiving meal. The shelter was filled with 8.
Through this experience, I learned that Thanksgiving is a time to think about your blessings (祝福) and look for ways to bless others. When I gave up what I had wanted, I discovered how much I have. It is much better to 9 than to receive. In the end, that Thanksgiving became an 10 experience.
