I transported two of them there myself. The others were delighted to see me--one of them came running at top speed and tackled me as soon as I walked in the door--she got swung around and deposited a few feet away. There were seven of us in all, plus family members, who added eight more. We were the Mileposters. Other guests, plus the hostess and cooks, increased the number by ten.1
The hostess was beaming--she had never done this before, and was gratified at the substantial turnout. Before we sat down, we left harvest-gifts for the needy to eat on Thanksgiving Day. We bowed our heads as Miss Lenore led us in thanks to our great Creator and Gift-Giver.2
It was an early Thanksgiving dinner--probably my earliest ever--November 16. It was also the longest table--36 feet--bent into a big "U" shape, with a snowy, lacy covering, set in the church fellowship hall. Not much food was visible--just cranberry sauce, and what would fit on each person's paper plate. But it was delicious, and the kitchen, right at our elbows, never ran out--turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, peas, and carrots, served to us by the younger set--mine was delivered by a DC through-rider from 2006, who had also pedaled 82 miles in one day. The dessert board, loaded with various pumpkin confections, from rich and hearty to light and delectable, was right alongside. 3
But wait... you might not know who the Mileposters are. In 1997 I began to take my students on bicycle rides, using the trails of the network radiating out of Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A. By the close of the 2008 season, sixty riders and many trips later, we had completed three journeys from our city to the nation's capital, using bikes made for two, three, or four people, and had raised over $11,000 for Lutheran missions in the area.4
I waited my whole life for this Thanksgiving, precious gift from our Father in heaven. Soli Deo Gloria. [To God alone be the glory.]5
Author notes
This is a true story about Thanksgiving for the new members' contest.
A contest entry
- November's New Members Contest by SW Greeters.
350 points, ended December 4, 2008, 7 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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This sounds like such a wonderful experience - both the Thanksgiving dinner and the bicycle riding!
The dinner sounds delicious, and I find it's always better when eaten in the company of good fellowship. Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the Storywrite community! 
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Thank you, and you're welcome! Indeed, dinner eaten in good company is always better, for which this occasion is one of the best of my life!
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Interesting
The Mileposters ride bicycles to Washington, DC? What do they do when the get there? It seems like this was a good Thanksgiving.
Thanks for entering the New Members contest. Welcome to Storywrite.
Let us know if we may be of assistance.
Andy, greeter
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Thanks! I'm the Mileposters group leader. We do about twenty shorter rides a year, from 15 to 40 miles, on weekends, and try to do one big ride a year, usually from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. The ride is the main thing, but we do a little sightseeing when we get there, and take the train home. We ride for recreation and fundraising for local Lutheran charities.
http://mileposters.net
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In this one you've captured a very strong feeling: the greatness you feel with a group of very close people whom you've known for seems-like-forever and shared some epic adventures with. Really memorable moments, I'm guessing. Kind of like the ones I had on the 2005 ride. An excellent write.
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Thanks! I was looking forward to this event, but wasn't quite prepared for the incredible way it turned out!
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Good Morning Jacobus, welcome to StoryWrite, and thank you for sharing this motivating narrative concerning this very productive religious group you belong too
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I’m curious, why do you celebrate Thanksgiving earlier in the month? since it entails a bike trip, perhaps it is due to the weather?
Your writing is very clear, the idea sparks the imagination; and if it was presented in action and dialogue scenes you would have the makings of an interesting story.
Good luck in the contest.
I look forward to reading more of your work.
Geri
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Wow! Thanks! We had the dinner early because it was the last regular meeting time before Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims, a community youth Bible study/activity group. The Mileposters and the Pilgrims have been working together. Following the example of a friend, I came over to this site from Allpoetry, and have a lot of (prose) prewrites I might post, especially stories about the cats in my life.
I've been working on a novella, which is nearly 50,000 words, so doesn't qualify as a short story for this site, although I've been given a suggestion as to how it might work. I've been writing poems to go with the chapters, and those recently posted are at:
http://web.totalusa.net/tandemcat/carolina.htm
Pictures of the dinner (on the Activities page), as well as many of our bike rides, are at:
http://mileposters.net
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Hi.
You can post novellas and novels on this site, though usually they are posted in parts or chapters.
Andy
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Thank you! I'll keep that in mind!
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Inspiring
Wow... that must of been amazing!
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Thanks!
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That's awesome! Keep up the good work in both your writing and your ministry! God Bless! Have an awesome Thanksgiving! -Liz
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Thanks! I already did! :-)
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And if you want to know what I did on Thanksgiving Day, check out 'Thanksgiving Day 2008' and 'Italian Fowl' on Allpoetry!
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