The Sweetest Gift

“Every sunrise makes the world new again.” – Christy Huddleston

It was an unusual sight for Cutter Gap. Fall arrived in the cove, but late rain kept the trees green. At the schoolhouse, Christy and the children practice their Thanksgiving pageant. These types of events must have been a real treat for the children, but at the same time, it was Christy’s goal to distract them from the severity of the ruined fall harvest. Although there were ongoing feuds within the cove, the people came together for a common goal, foraging for food. God tells us not to worry. If He feeds the wildlife, how much more will He give us the food that we need.

Everyone started a hunting expedition. From adults to children, ranging from David to Miss Alice and Creed to Little Burl. It was everyone’s goal to catch a turkey for the Thanksgiving harvest. It becomes quite the challenge, especially among the boys, as a prized turkey comically eludes them. Dr. MacNeill summoned a local illustrious hunter named Billy Long. He quickly becomes Creed’s hero and mentor.

Christy’s father lost a court case in Knoxville. Since Cutter Gap is in between it and Asheville, he decided to pay a visit to the cove. Christy explains that Dr. MacNeill was a scientist who trusted facts. For Fairlight, feelings and intuition seemed more real to her. I think it’s healthy to have both. Some people try to rely only on facts like Dr. MacNeill, while others only rely on feelings. Extreme ends can cause confusion. For Dr. MacNeill, it was atheism, for others it’s superstitions.

A hefty large bell for the church arrived in El Pano. Mr. Huddleston, David, and Uncle Bogg knew one thing. It would take a miracle to get the bell to Cutter Gap. Asking the men of the cove to move it would be an insult, considering there was an extreme scarcity of food. But David knew one thing, faith can move mountains, and it could help move that bell.

Fairlight’s worst feelings had come true. Her husband Jeb was pistol whipped by strangers and thrown to the ground. What was most important to Jeb was his hard earned money. His entire year’s salary was stolen. Mr. Huddleston also arrived with Jeb. However, he suddenly collapsed to the ground in Christy’s arms. He has suffered a stroke, now bedridden and unconscious. Dr. MacNeill is summoned for help. Today, we take instant communication like cell phones for granted. It reminds me of Christy’s words of stepping into another time.

Due to Christy’s absence, the children sit on the porch of the schoolhouse hoping to hear of any good word or any hope to proceed with the school-play. What a world we have come from, to where children were yearning to learn, and now they revolt at the thought of school. Perhaps that’s embellished a little. But back then, I would imagine being together for conversation and hearing knowledge from an outsider like Christy would be part of their entertainment.

Mrs. Huddleston makes it clear to Christy. She is stern in her intent to only allow their family doctor to treat her husband. His diagnosis is that Mr. Huddleston may never regain consciousness, and that if he does, there will be terrible impairments that come with it. For Mrs. Huddleston, a country doctor like Neil is worthless. Miss Alice advises Christy to pray for both her parents. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we often forget our need to talk to God and ask for His intervention, no matter what it may be.

To Creed’s surprise, his fellow hunter Billy Long was part Cherokee Indian. This didn’t sit well with him. He saw Indians as savages. Miss Alice tries to be the voice of reason to Creed, but she doesn’t succeed. The south, including East Tennessee, was one of the most common settlements for this Indian tribe. The Indians never claimed the land, because they saw it as stewards to tend to. In many ways, that is our duty. Although man has implemented property laws of land, God has instructed us to mind the land and take care of its animals.

At the mission, Mr. Huddleston’s doctor and Dr. MacNeill disagree upon how his recovery will be. Mrs. Huddleston explains to Christy that she’s just too young to understand the situation. She also brings up that Christy is keeping one man dangling, while she has feelings for another. Obviously referring to David and Neil. She’s trying to tell her if she can’t hold her feelings together regarding men, how could she in emergencies like these. Mrs. Huddleston can’t stand the thought that Neil would only give her one thing. Hope.

Although it’s Ms. Alice’s hope to see the bell arrive in Cutter Gap, David’s priority was to help the cove. It’s his way of getting the thought of Christy leaving Cutter Gap off his mind. Uncle Bogg comes along, seeing David working. Their conversation, albeit very short, tells an interesting story. In the episode A Closer Walk, Uncle Bogg was with Ault Allen bullying him. David turned the other cheek. Now, Uncle Bogg asks David what he can do for him. What you see are two men who are forgetting and forgiving what was in the past. We all need to learn from this example.

As Christy prepares to take quart jars of food to the O’Teale family, her mother struggles to understand why her daughter takes so much interest in Cutter Gap. She decides to join Christy and as the old saying goes, walk a mile in their shoes. Deep down, underneath that irritable behavior, is a good heart. After all, she did raise Christy. Sometimes, we’re too self-centered, entrenched in our own pity, and can’t see the overall picture. The people in the cove obviously don’t like taking charity. So Mrs. Huddleston has the idea of trading food for information about natural remedies.

You can see Christy’s impact upon the children, even Mountie tells her, “I love you, teacher.” Dr. MacNeill returns and shares his gingerbread payment from a patient. It wasn’t money, but a trade. Sometimes that’s all people have. At one point, the children were so desperate they were trying to trade toys for food. Becky O’Teale gives Dr. MacNeill a drawing of the first thing she saw after his trachoma treatment for her eyes in “Eye of the Storm.” In a metaphor, it’s then that Mrs. Huddleston sees. She learns from Christy that the more you learn about others, the less you’ll judge them upon first appearance. It’s only then when she invites Dr. MacNeill to treat her husband.

Fairlight had a dream that led her to a place where all her worries were gone. She believes that she can find that place, and something has been telling her to go to it. In my life, I have found that if something is telling you to do something, you should. If not, you’ll sorely regret it. Perhaps it’s God’s way of directing us. Christy takes the walk with her, and they find the most abundant amount of persimmon trees laden with ripe fruit. Not only was it enough to feed Cutter Gap, it was enough to sell in Knoxville for money. To Fairlight, it was manna from heaven, a food that was directly and divinely given to them by God.

Creed Allen wants to go back to the way things were with Billy Long. However, Billy doesn’t, he only wants to go forward. He’s teaching Creed that once we take an action, we can’t change our past, only our future. They mend their friendship and find the prized turkey they were all looking for. Billy wants to teach Creed the true way to ride a horse like an Indian. Bareback.

Mr. Huddleston finally woke from his coma, and Dr. MacNeill comes to the conclusion that he can improve. The brain can be retaught through exercises. Christy wants him to get better soon, so she doesn’t have to go back home to Asheville. Yet, she wants to stay at the mission too. She has guilt. She believes her work is a failure. However, Miss Alice explains to Christy that she has planted a seed in Cutter Gap. The seed was given to the children. Even if it’s merely one seed, it can turn into thousands or even millions of fruits. If you train up a child in the proper manner, he will walk that way as an adult. A teacher has a big part in that.

What seemed nearly impossible was possible. The church bell had finally arrived to Cutter Gap. If it wasn’t for the men pitching in, it wouldn’t have gotten there. I believe, for the first time, the men of the cove finally gave David respect. Blessings of food arrived to the area at the right time. Even the children were able to complete their Thanksgiving pageant.

The church bell rings throughout the cove, and the people of Cutter Gap gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Christy’s parents tell her it’s ok to stay. Mr. Huddleston is improving more than expected. She has a lot to be thankful for: the mission, the children, her friends, and most notably, her parents for allowing her to continue to follow her heart. This is the sweetest gift.

Let’s use this episode as an example in our lives. Take the time to think upon what you have. Learn to love one another. Learn to forgive. Learn to be thankful. Give thanks to God, who makes it all possible. Make this your sweetest gift every Thanksgiving.