'It's beautiful': B.C. man invites strangers into his home for Thanksgiving dinner
James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn’t buy.
“Six months ago, I was in a really bad place,” James says.
He experienced multiple losses in his family and was set to spend Thanksgiving alone.
“I know that it’s important to have people around,” James says. “And to feel loved and share good food.”
So he posted an invitation on a community Facebook page, offering to cook Thanksgiving dinner for four strangers who might be feeling the same way.
“Please don’t be alone,” James says. “Reach out.”
One of the people who accepted James’ invitation is Nicole Borthwick.
“I was relieved that someone would reach out,” Nicole says.
She’s temporarily away from her family and couldn’t feel more grateful to not be alone on Thanksgiving.
“It’s very heartfelt, very emotional,” she says.
And James’ post is proving to be very popular. More than 300 people responded, and he’s preparing to make dinner for more than a dozen of them.
“If I could fit everyone in my house I would. But I have such a small house,” James says. “I’m having three sittings, so I’m happy with that.”
To appreciate why James is so joyful about stocking his fridge and juggling so many small appliances in such a compact space, you need to know he’s been struck by lightning twice.
“I died and came back to life,” James says. “I know how precious that is, how lucky I am to have this second chance.”
And James is using his second chance at life to work as an Indigenous educator in schools, and practice sharing kindness daily.
“It is so important to share love,” he says.
Others seem to agree. People are offering James food even if they’re not attending the dinner. This morning, one stranger dropped off two pumpkin pies, and another just gave James a bag full of vegetables.
“I’m humbled,” James says.
And fittingly, James is also full of thanks.
“I have 12 to 15 new friends coming over,” James smiles. “It‘s beautiful.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.