This fortune cookie fortune sent me years back, to an early Thanksgiving morning when I shoehorned in a quick trip to the office before the family and the bird appeared in the dining room. My office was in the Theater District on 7th Avenue in New York. In my building was the home office of a venerated master of the Broadway stage as well as a show business guru to the stars. Many times during the work day, you would find the biggest stars, and up-and-coming ones, outside his office sitting on a hallway window banquette, waiting for their appointments. You get pretty blasé about it all after the 50th time.

Except on Thanksgiving, when you don’t expect to see anybody (but me) working. I remember that as I was walking up the stairs, Katharine Hepburn was walking down. At her advanced age, she chose the stairs over the elevator. Classic, I thought, for this American powerhouse. Now even though I was hardened to all this star power by then, I found myself awestruck. So, I put on the most syrupy voice and tone I could muster and asked, “So how are you today?”

To which the Academy Award-winning, woman’s role model, actor’s actor replied in her signature shaky, and crackly New England accent, “Any day above ground is a good day.”

“Yes, it is.” I agreed. Then I abruptly turned around and ran down the steps ahead of her. I ran to the Corner Deli on 54th and grabbed a red rose. I threw down a five. (Four dollars more than it cost, but I was in a hurry) and I ran back to my building. Just as I did, I saw the Great Kate getting into the back of a black Town Car as it rolled away.

I had a momentary impulse to run and catch her at the light, but that would have been too creepy. So, I handed the rose to the first woman I saw on 7th Avenue and said, “Happy Thanksgiving. Have a good day.” and added in my head, …an above-ground day!”

Although Turkey doesn’t come with a fortune cookie, I wish everyone good fortune this Thanksgiving.