There are No Vans 没有货车了
I remember one Thanksgiving when our family had no money and no food，and someone came knocking on our door.A man was standing there with a huge box of food，a giant turkey and even some pans to cook it in.I couldn't believe it.My dad demanded，“Who are you？Where are you from？”The stranger announced，“I'm here because a friend of yours knows you're in need and that you wouldn't accept direct help，so I've brought this for you.Have a great Thanksgiving.”My father said，“No，no，we can't accept this.”The stranger replied“You don't have a choice，”closed the door and left.
Obviously that experience had a profound impact on my life.I promised myself that someday I would do well enough financially so that I could do the same thing for other people.By the time I was eighteen I had created my Thanksgiving ritual.I like to do things spontaneously，so I would go out shopping and buy enough food for one or two families.Then I would dress like a delivery boy，go to the poorest neighborhood and just knock on a door.I always included a note that explained my Thanksgiving experience as a kid.The note concluded，“All that I ask in return is that you take good enough care of yourself so that someday you can do the same thing for someone else.”I have received more from this annual ritual than I have from any amount of money I've ever earned.
Several years ago I was in New York City with my new wife during Thanksgiving.She was sad because we were not with our family.Normally she would be at home decorating the house for Christmas，but we were stuck here in a hotel room.
I said，“Honey，look，why don't we decorate some lives today instead of some old trees？”When I told her what I always do on Thanksgiving，she got excited.I said，“Let's go someplace where we can really appreciate who we are，what we are capable of and what we can really give.Let's go to Harlem！”She and several of my business partners who were with us weren't really enthusiastic about the idea.I urged them：“C'mon，let's go to Harlem and feed some people in need.We won't be the people who are giving it because that would be insulting.We'll just be the delivery people.We'll go to buy enough food for six or seven families for thirty days.We've got enough.Let's just go to do it！That's what Thanksgiving really is：Giving good thanks，not eating turkey.C'mon.Let's go to do it！”
Because I had to do a radio interview first，I asked my partners to get us started by getting a van.When I returned from the interview，they said，“We just can't do it.There are no vans in all New York.The rent-a-car places are all out of vans.They're just not available.”
I said，“Look，the bottom line is that if we want something，we can make it happen！All we have to do is to take action.There are plenty of vans here in New York City.We just don't have one.Let's go to get one.”They insisted，“We've called everywhere.There aren't any.”I said，“Look down at the street.Look down there.Do you see all those vans？”They said，“Yeah，we see them.”“Let's go to get one，”I said.
First I tried walking out in front of vans as they were driving down the street.I learned something about New York drivers that day：They don't stop；they speed up.Then we tried waiting by the light.We'd go over and knock on the window and the driver would roll it down，looking at us kind of leery，and I'd say，“Hi.Since today is Thanksgiving，we'd like to know if you would be willing to drive us to Harlem so we can feed some people.”Every time the driver would look away quickly，furiously roll up the window and pull away without saying anything.
Eventually we got better at asking.We'd knock on the window，and they'd roll it down and we'd say，“Today is Thanksgiving.We'd like to help some underprivileged people，and we're curious if you'd be willing to drive us to an underprivileged area that we have in mind here in New York City.”That seemed slightly more effective but still didn't work.Then we started offering people100 to drive us.That got us even closer，but when we told them to take us to Harlem，they said no and drove off.
We had talked to about two dozen people who all said no.My partners were ready to give up on the project，but I said，“It's the law of averages：somebody is going to say yes.”Sure enough，the perfect van drove up.It was perfect because it was extra big and would accommodate all of us.We went up，knocked on the window and we asked the driver，“Could you take us to a disadvantaged area？We'll pay you a hundred dollars.”
The driver said，“You don't have to pay me.I'd be happy to take you.In fact，I'll take you to some of the most difficult spots in the whole city.”Then he reached over on the seat and grabbed his hat.As he put it on，I noticed that it said，“Salvation Army”.The man's name was Captain John Rondon and he was the head of the Salvation Army in the South Bronx.
We climbed into the van in absolute ecstasy.He said，“I'll take you to places you never even thought of going.But tell me something.Why do you people want to do this？”I told him my story and that I wanted to show gratitude for all that I had by giving something back.
Captain Rondon took us into parts of the South Bronx that made Harlem look like Beverly Hills.When we arrived，we went into a store where we bought a lot of food and some baskets.We packed enough for seven families for thirty days.Then we went out to start feeding people.We went to buildings where there were half a dozen people living in one room：“squatters”with no electricity and no heat in the dead of winter surrounded by rats，cockroaches and the smell of urine.It was both an astonishing realization that people lived this way and a truly fulfilling experience to make even a small difference.
You see，you can make anything happen if you commit to it and take action.Miracles like this happen every day-even in a city where“there are no vans”。
我记得一年感恩节，家里既没钱，也没食物。正当穷的开不了火的时候，有人上门敲门。一个男人抱着一大箱食物，一只赫大的火鸡，甚至还有烹调火鸡用的锅。我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。我爸爸坚持问道，“你是谁？从哪儿来？”这个陌生的男人宣称，“我来这儿是因为你们的一位朋友知道你们很需要食物，而又肯定不会接受他的帮助，所以就由我拿来了。感恩节快乐！”我父亲说，“不，不，这我们不能接受。”他却回答，“你没有选择的余地。”说完关上门，走了。
显然，那次经历对我的人生有了深刻的影响。我对自己承诺，有一天我自己一定要在经济上自立，这样我就可以对他人做同样的事情了。不到十八岁，我就开始了自己的感恩节庆祝方式。我喜欢由心而发，自愿自然地去做事情，所以我会去购物，买够一、两个家庭需要的食物，然后打扮成一个快递男孩，到附近最贫穷的人家居住的一带，然后随机敲开一户人家的门。我送出的食物里总是会附上一张便条，讲述我小时的那次感恩节经历。便条通常都这样结尾，“我所要求的回报就是你照顾好你自己，将来为别人做同样的事情。”我从这个每年一次的惯例中所得到的比我挣到的任何一笔钱都多。
几年前的一次感恩节期间，我和那时结婚不久的妻子都在纽约市。因为没有和我们的家人在一起，所以她有些伤感。通常这个时候她都在家，装饰房子，为圣诞节做准备，但是，我们却滞留在纽约的一家旅店里。
我说，“亲爱的，你看，不如我们今天装点些生命，代替装点那些老树，怎么样？”我告诉她我总是在感恩节做什么，她听了很激动。我说，“我们可以去那种真正能够让自己敬佩自己的为人和能力的地方，看看我们到底能够给予别人什么。我们去哈林区吧！”她和与我们在一起的几个生意伙伴都显得对这个提议不感兴趣。我催促他们：“打起精神，我们到哈林区去，给一些挨饿的人送点食物。我们不会是直接给他们食物的人，那样有侮辱的意味。我们打扮成快递人员。我们去买够六、七个家庭一个月吃的东西，我们人足够了。我们就这么干吧！这才是感恩节的真正含义：感谢他人，回馈社会，而不是吃火鸡。振奋起来，我们走！”
因为我还要做一个电台的采访节目，所以我请我的几个伙伴先去找辆货车。当我采访结束回来后，他们说，“我们没办法。整个纽约市都没有货车。租车地方的货车都空了，根本找不到货车。”
我说，“你们瞧，问题的关键在于有志者事竟成！我们需要的就是行动起来。在这儿，纽约市，有很多货车，只是我们没有弄到手。现在我们去弄一辆来。”他们又坚持说道，“所有的地方我们都打过电话了，就是一辆都没有。”我说，“看看下面街道上，往下看那儿。你们看见那些货车了吗？”他们回答，“嗯，我们看到了。”“好，我们去下面找一辆。”我说。
最初，我试着在货车开来的时候，走到马路上去拦车。那天我学到了一点纽约司机的脾性：他们不刹车；他们踩油门。后来，我们尝试着在交通灯那儿等待。我们会走上前去敲车窗，司机摇下窗户，用带点儿戒备的眼神看着我们，然后我会说，“嗨！今天是感恩节，请问你是否愿意载我们到哈林区去，我们要给那儿的人送点吃的。”每次，司机都很快地转过头去，火气十足地摇上玻璃，什么都不说就开走了。
终于，我们的请求有所进步了。我们敲打车窗，他们摇下来，然后我们会说，“今天是感恩节。我们想帮助一些生活贫困的人，我们想知道你是否愿意载我们到纽约这里的一个贫困区。”这种说法似乎有所起色，但还是不起实际作用。后来，我们开始向司机们支付一百美元作为车费。这使得我们又向成功迈近了一步，但是当他们知道我们要去哈林区的时候，他们拒绝，驶走了。
我们已经向大约二十多个人开口求助，可是都被拒绝了。我的伙伴们就要放弃了，但是我说，“这是平均法则：快有人同意了。”果然，理想中的货车向我们驶过来。这辆再合适不过了，因为它比一般的都大，可以容下我们所有人。我们上前，敲了敲车窗，问司机，“你能拉我们到一个贫困区去吗？我们支付你一百美元。”
这位司机说，“你们不用付给我钱。我很乐意载你们一程。实际上，我将带你们去整个纽约生活最艰难的地区。”然后他坐回驾座，抓起帽子带到头上。他带帽子的时候，我注意到帽子上面写着，“救世军”。这个人叫约翰？诺顿上尉，他是南布朗克斯救世军的领导者。
我们钻进货车里，高兴万分。他说，“我会把你们带到你们甚至不曾想过要去的地方。但是告诉我，你们这些人为什么想这么做呢？”我告诉了他我的故事，还有我想通过帮助别人来表达内心的感激，回报我今天拥有的一切。
诺顿上尉把我们带到了南布朗克斯的部分地方，与这些地方相比，哈林区可以称得上是比弗利山庄了。到达后，我们到一家商店里买了许多食物和一些篮子，这些食物足够七个家庭一个月所需了。然后我们开始把这些东西四处送人。我们进入的一些楼房里，六、七个人挤在一间屋子里：破旧窄小的地方，没有电，隆隆寒冬也没有暖气，老鼠、蟑螂出来进去，还有股尿骚味。目睹人们这样过活，我们十分震惊和难过。即使我们的帮助微不足道，但看到他们吃着我们给的食物，心中竟有了前所未有的安慰和充实。
你看，如果你信念坚定，并且付出实际行动，你就可以达成你的愿望。这样的奇迹每天都在发生，甚至是在一个“找不到货车”的城市里。
译者感言
很多事情只有亲身经历，人们才会真正有所感悟。特别是一个人小时候发生的事情，更会对他的生命留下不可磨灭的印记和影响。作者小时家里穷得连肚子都填不饱的话，我想，就更别提生活的其他方面了。他幼小的心灵感受肯定与其他孩子不同，灰暗、不平多少是有的。男人给他带来的食物岂止是肚子的，更是心灵的。他感到外边的世界还有希望，自己的人生还有希望。珍贵的希望啊！这激发和培育了他坚定的意志和乐观的生活态度，让他自小就开始为自己的人生打拼，在社会上立足；让他每年感恩节都诉诸相同的行动，帮助其他的穷人，同时也在这过程中不断重温自己小时候得到的那份心灵的震颤、感动和希望，并肯定在他生活的各个方面都有所体现和实现。所以，在找不到货车的情况下，他一直都不放弃，他相信奇迹会出现。他抱有希望。因此，我想，作者要告诉我们的，更确切的是，就算“没有货车”，很多人都不帮我们，客观情况不允许，希望也会将我们引向我们要到达的地方。
