It was the day before Thanksgiving. The dining room in the church looked colorful with decorations from the previous night. Turkey posters on the walls, turkey tablecloths on the tables, napkins arranged like turkey, turkey in the kitchen, turkey masks for the skit—it was turkey all over. For a team of 16 undergrads and two staff members (one also an alum) of Loras, it was more than just about turkey; it was a big day of celebration of Thanksgiving with the senior members of Louis County in McKee, KY.

As the guests started to fill the room and we welcomed them with beverages, each one of us found someone to talk to and the room sounded like a party house. It got even louder with the giggles and laughter. A quick silence and the room started to resonate with “Amazing Grace.” Abruptly interrupting their own conversations, everyone drew their attention to a white haired lady standing with a guitar.

Loras students in Kentucky for Thanksgiving.

After a short prayer, we served the meal. While everyone was eating, some of us were busy waiting on the tables, some taking pictures and some just enjoying the chat. Our first skit brought enough laughter in the room and with a thankful note at the end of the second one, everyone was humbled. It was now time for a raffle draw. The senior members were excited like kids to receive gifts. It was quite apparent that they were enjoying the moment of true happiness that they longed for each day. It seemed like they were relishing the family time and so were we. A perfect combination of food, fun and felicity, it was a delightful Thanksgiving celebration.

That wasn’t the end of it. On Thursday, we were to attend another Thanksgiving dinner. This time it was at the Moore family’s, a family that had been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for Loras service trippers to McKee every year.

After a long ride along the curves of the mountains we reached the Moore’s. Mr. John Moore was on his tractor while Mrs. Betty Moore came outside in a Loras college alumni apparel. In 1989, Betty had gone on the McKee trip like us, helped the Moore family in the farm as a part of service and fell in love with a Moore. Betty and John have been married for almost 19 years now.

For many of us, it was our first hay ride. John and his dad owned a huge farm. It was chilly but everyone seemed too busy enjoying the ride to care about the cold. Betty had been waiting with hot chocolate while we got back from the ride. As she mentioned that we were her extended family, we couldn’t feel more welcomed. It was inspiring to see such care for one’s alma mater, to see one Duhawk expanding love among fellow Duhawks. Not to mention, it was the most delicious meal I have had in a long time and the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. I could tell there was love in everything. It was as if I was having dinner with my own family in my own house.

Although not the tradition I grew up following, it was a celebration I thoroughly enjoyed. Serving meals to the elderly was a perfect way to thank God for the blessings and gifts we have been given. An unusual two-day celebration, service oriented Thanksgiving was one of the many highlights of the whole service trip.

Through this very article I would like to thank the Campus Ministry for providing this opportunity of having an uplifting experience. Thanks to all of those who were, one way or another, part of this beautiful experience that connected the hearts of the 18 crew members with one another and many others.