And so this is Christmas, and what have we done?
It’s Christmas – well, 22 hours to Christmas – and most of us are sitting safe at home, wondering what’s in the boxes wrapped under the tree. What’s on your mind right now? (I realize that’s a stupid question since you’re reading this…)
Over 13 million children in the US and another million and a half children in Canada are wondering why they don’t even have a Christmas tree; or, if they do, they wonder if Santa will even come by… (Numbers from www.freethechildren.com and The National Center for Children in Poverty) To quote Billy, the lonely boy in The Polar Express – “Christmas just doesn’t work out (for some people)…”
For Nichole’s family, Christmas was not always as glamorous as what you and I might recall. To begin, Nichole’s mom relied on receiving a Welfare check on time to ensure that the children (3 of them) would get gifts. There was a Christmas tree, there were some decorations. The gifts usually consisted of clothing: jogging pants, sweatshirts – that’s what was needed. To create an appearance of “more gifts”, jogging suits and outfits were separated and each piece was wrapped separately. Christmas was one of only 2 times of the year when new clothes were a possibility; the other time being the beginning of the school year.
One year, Nichole’s mom even had to go to the County Welfare office to pick up a box of food… Food stamps only last so long; and you can be certain that providing a good Christmas meal for your family might just tap out the stamps!
What do you think about or wish for “When Christmas comes to town”?
Now, this post isn’t meant to make you sad, or make you feel guilty. You shouldn’t… I believe that you get what you get because you’ve worked hard for it. It’s not always everything you’ve ever wanted – but, we should be grateful. That’s what this post is for… to highlight that we are likely doing OK in the great scheme of things. And, if we’re not OK today, chances are we are blessed with the ability to hope that things will get better.
Enjoy your Christmas, your Hannukah - or whichever holiday you are celebrating. Appreciate every moment you have with friends and family. And, when you have a chance – share the joy. Magic happens when we Believe.
It’s Christmas – well, 22 hours to Christmas – and most of us are sitting safe at home, wondering what’s in the boxes wrapped under the tree. What’s on your mind right now? (I realize that’s a stupid question since you’re reading this…)
Over 13 million children in the US and another million and a half children in Canada are wondering why they don’t even have a Christmas tree; or, if they do, they wonder if Santa will even come by… (Numbers from www.freethechildren.com and The National Center for Children in Poverty) To quote Billy, the lonely boy in The Polar Express – “Christmas just doesn’t work out (for some people)…”
For Nichole’s family, Christmas was not always as glamorous as what you and I might recall. To begin, Nichole’s mom relied on receiving a Welfare check on time to ensure that the children (3 of them) would get gifts. There was a Christmas tree, there were some decorations. The gifts usually consisted of clothing: jogging pants, sweatshirts – that’s what was needed. To create an appearance of “more gifts”, jogging suits and outfits were separated and each piece was wrapped separately. Christmas was one of only 2 times of the year when new clothes were a possibility; the other time being the beginning of the school year.
One year, Nichole’s mom even had to go to the County Welfare office to pick up a box of food… Food stamps only last so long; and you can be certain that providing a good Christmas meal for your family might just tap out the stamps!
What do you think about or wish for “When Christmas comes to town”?
Now, this post isn’t meant to make you sad, or make you feel guilty. You shouldn’t… I believe that you get what you get because you’ve worked hard for it. It’s not always everything you’ve ever wanted – but, we should be grateful. That’s what this post is for… to highlight that we are likely doing OK in the great scheme of things. And, if we’re not OK today, chances are we are blessed with the ability to hope that things will get better.
Enjoy your Christmas, your Hannukah - or whichever holiday you are celebrating. Appreciate every moment you have with friends and family. And, when you have a chance – share the joy. Magic happens when we Believe.
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May I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah ... and I thank you for your excellent blogs ... I look forward to following them regularly in the 2009 ... best wishes!!!
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