An Occupy Thanksgiving

I started the day, as always, at the Occupy Site at Fifth and James at City Hall

Normally, I"d head upstairs to the City Hall lobby and get something from Rick Farley at the City Grind, where they put up with me even when all I want is hot water, but it's Thanksgiving and City Hall is closed, as is the library.

So I head down the street to the entrance to the transit tunnel when I notice something happening in the park at Jefferson and Fourth...

A park with no name where the trees have mufflers...

And there are tents and people lined up...

And I wonder if I'm hallucinating. What is wrong with this picture?

Maybe this guy knows.

Nobody seems to notice that they are surrounded by the gayest trees I've ever seen, each with a Jewish mother, and ever since they came out of the closet, she won't stop knitting. You'll never guess, bubala, for Thanksgiving, I'm making you a muffler.

What is everyone lined up for? Amazing food prepared fresh in the park for absolutely anyone who gets in line. There's fresh bacon...

And ham and muffins and mashed potatoes...

And Shasta soda and smiles...

And all these people...

Who are now my heroes...

Have gathered in the park on a cold morning where the trees are normally warmer than the people...

And spread the warmth by feeding everyone, those with one leg...

And even those clothed in trash bags. 

Yeah, this kid's my hero too, for passing out cookies, pears, and water.

Why is this guy my hero? Because he's passing out silverware out of the goodness of his heart.

These  are my heroes too.

And I'm going to show you every one of these wonderful people who appeared out of nowhere to make fresh pancakes.

They didn't do it for fame or fortune.

They don't expect to be paid back.

They're doing it because they're decent...

And nowadays, simple decency is a valuable commodity.

And they're enjoying themselves while they do it...

Actually taking orders and giving out numbers so people can pick up their individualized breakfasts. 

They went to all this trouble...

For these people...

And these who are usually ignored.

Not checking for ID or doing breathalyzer tests or making anyone listen to a sermon, even though they were from a church...

Feeding everyone with a mouth,

Creating a whole park full of happy people.

I was once walking around Santa Monica, CA, when I saw a bunch of people in an alley. I walked down to see what was going on and saw somebody had a truck full of food they were passing out, and it wasn't just street grub but fancy to-go dishes from expensive Beverly Hills restaurants. I moved in closer and saw it was Martin Sheen. There were no lights or cameras around. He wasn't doing it for publicity. He personally drove around to all his favorite restaurants at closing, picked up their leftovers, and distributed them to hungry people. He became my hero that day. Like these people. I wish there were more like them.