In 2016,Wanda Dench was trying to let her grandkids know about the family's upcoming plans for the holiday and tried to send a text message to her grandson.But Jamal Hinton,who was a 17-year-old high school student and complete stranger to Dench at the time,received the text instead.
Once the two Arizona natives realized the mistake,Hinton asked if he could "still get a plate," according to screenshots he posted on Twitter.Dench replied, "Of course you can.That's what grandmas do...feed everyone."
Hinton shared the sweet conversation on social media and the story quickly went viral(瘋傳).They have celebrated Thanksgiving together every year since,always snapping photos and taking videos,much to the delight of many following their story.
This year,a very important person is missing from the annual tradition- Dench's husband,Lonnie.He died from the coronavirus this spring.Wanda was able to be with him during his final moments.
Dench and Hinton thought about the risks of holding a Thanksgiving celebration amid the pandemic(疫情期間),weighing if they could figure out a way to get together the day before gathering with their own individual families.But,they eventually concluded the risk was too high.
In honor of Lonnie,the friends instead held a small gathering on Friday.Dench,her actual grandson,her daughter,Hinton and his girlfriend,Mikaela,got together for an early Thanksgiving meal.The event was a sharp contrast from the larger celebrations of years past.
"I didn't want to miss Thanksgiving with Jamal," Dench said. "This year is definitely different than all the years in the past."
To honor Lonnie,an empty seat and lit candle were placed at the head of the table.The beloved husband would always say grace before the holiday meal,so this year,Dench led the prayer.
"Thank you for all the blessings,and thank you so much for having Lonnie in my life," Dench said as everyone sat around the table. "I miss him,but I know he's in a good place.So to everybody here,I love you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving."
(1)What was the relationship between Dench and Hinton at the beginning of the story? (no more than 3 words)
They were strangers.Or:Strangers.
They were strangers.Or:Strangers.
(2)How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 2? (no more than 6 words)Still join their family's Thanksgiving.Or:Celebrate Thanksgiving together with her family.
Still join their family's Thanksgiving.Or:Celebrate Thanksgiving together with her family.
(3)Why was this year's gathering a sharp contrast from the larger celebrations of years past? (no more than 15 words)Because the risk of holding a Thanksgiving celebration amid the pandemic was too high.
Because the risk of holding a Thanksgiving celebration amid the pandemic was too high.
(4)Why did Dench lead the prayer this year? (no more than 10 words)Because Lonnie was dead.
Because Lonnie was dead.
(5)What do you think of Dench and Hinton's story?And give your reasons. (no more than 20 words)
I think their story is fantastic.Because one wrong text message brought strangers together and kept them together for years,which is incredible.
I think their story is fantastic.Because one wrong text message brought strangers together and kept them together for years,which is incredible.