It was the familiar scene. My family and I were sitting around the dining room table, heartily filling our stomachs with my mother’s delicious Thanksgiving dinner. All of us were leaning back in our chairs, laughing, and saying what we were thankful for.

We were just about done with dinner when my mother proceeded to tell us that she had a thought that had been plaguing her mind for a while. She was working in the city at the time, and she said that she always saw homeless people living under the bridges. She told us that she wanted to do something nice in the spirit of the holiday and asked us if we would be okay with giving our leftovers to someone in need as opposed to keeping them for ourselves.

My brother and I were reluctant at first, but after a few seconds of resistance we decided to pack up our leftovers and drive into the city to find someone to give it to. We didn’t have enough to feed more than a few people, but after a time we finally found a man who was sleeping underneath a bridge truss.

We parked the car and my brother and father ran across the street to give it to him. I couldn’t hear much of the exchange between my father and the man, but I heard my father say, “Happy Holidays!” before they ran back. After we drove away, I asked my brother what the man had said.  “He just said ‘Thank you! Bless your heart,’” my brother replied.

My biggest regret that night wasn’t that I didn’t have any stuffing for lunch the next day but the fact that I even had that moment of reluctance regarding my mother’s idea. I will never forget that night and how wonderful it felt to be kind to a stranger. I didn’t know that man– I didn’t even see his face– but it still warmed my heart to know that he would be well fed for Thanksgiving.

It wasn’t the humanitarian act of the year, and it wasn’t even a big gesture, but that’s the thing: If we all did something like that, wouldn’t the world be that much better of a place?

In a perfect world, we would all help each other out, regardless of differences, each and every day. Unfortunately, we are from an imperfect world. But in the spirit of the holidays, I ask you to find it in your heart to celebrate and give back to what truly matters.

If you are trying to choose between going to Best Buy for big savings or spending the night at home with your family, choose the latter. If you have an opportunity to help someone who is less fortunate than you, take it. Just remember, everybody: It’s called Thanks”giving” for a reason.