The night before Thanksgiving my front tooth cracked off. I immediately called my dentist’s office and got a voice message saying that people with emergencies should call a certain cellphone number.

I did so, and the person who answered was my dentist, Dr. Jeffrey P. McAuley.

I told him who I was and explained my problem. He asked if I could come to his office at 9 a.m. the next day.

“On Thanksgiving? I asked.

He said yes, without hesitation.

He was waiting for me when I arrived at his office the next morning. While most people are at home preparing for their Thanksgiving meal, he took time out to deal with my problem.

He made me appreciate the blessings and thanksgivings that are before us.