Yams and Cranberries, Turkey and Mashed potatoes. (religion)

[Guest guest]

I sat here in my chair while my 4 year old sits playing her

Playstation. Yes, she is hearing impaired, and extremely visual. She

is a wiz at it and it gives her some intense visual stimulation.

That is with Piglet, and Sponge Bob, and Pac Man. No slinging

guts....she is ill, and I am on night duty tonight. Last night it

was Bruce's turn.

Anyway, I was looking through the Sunday ads, and Started thinking

about the upcoming holiday season. My husband has been laid off

since August, and no prospects seem to be coming. I was feeling

sorry for myself, and thinking about how my bones feel like someone

is hammering them with a meat mallot. There is already Christmas

music playing on the Music Choice. channel.

Our family has done a lot of work with the needy. We have our church

who has a food pantry for the needy, charities that we contribute

to, and a house for refugees to stay safely until their humanitarian

concerns, and status is filed.

I met a beautiful woman there one day when we delivered surplus food

from a store owner know. She was a refugee from Rawanda. Her

parents, grandparents, fiance' and other family members were all

killed, being hacked to death by a machate. She lay among the dead

bodies until the gorilla militants had left, only to stand seriously

wounded, cut, and covered in blood. With nowhere to go, and no one

to help her. Her story helps me to remember just how much we have.

I was having my pitty party, and then took a second at reflection on

what we do have, and what the girls were not going to get this

Christmas. The pain in my body is about an 8.

The strangest thing happens when I see others who need help,

searching for some way I can assist. I start thinking ahead on how

to get the items that they need for a full Thanksgiving basket. Last

year on one trip, we had 6 shopping carts worth of food to go in the

orders.

At Christmas we support what is called a shoebox Christmas.

Basically, you fill a box with trinkets, and some small toys, warm

mittens, and a bit of candy. School supplies and combs, misc. items

from the dollar store. All items must fit into a shoe box.

Filling just one box will make a world of differance to those who

will have nothing Christmas morning. It is not really about what is

inside, but the fact that someone cared enough to fill it and wrap

it.

People say 'HOW CAN I POSSIBLY HELP THE NEEDY AND HOMELESS? Easy,

ask your pastor, rabbi, or who ever might know of a family that is

struggling. Make a shoebox for a boy or a girl. Put in some

Mc's gift certificates along with lots of love. I like not to

tell who sent it. Keep a touch of Christmas magic.

By forgetting about ourselves, our aching, throbbing, exhausted

bodies, we help someone else. And perhaps ourselves too. My girls

have taken the idea that each of them will fill a box wit h their

allowance money. I will add a few extras. Some charities will

accept a tote bag or a back pack instead of a box.

While you sit around your table this Thanksgiving perhaps you could

discuss this with your families. Even just a few dollars a person

can make such a differance.

Many people don't want to help the children between 20 & 12. Our

youth need to know that they are our future. Maybe your work would

like to get involved. For those who get overwhelmed by shopping for

things during the holiday if they donated to a designated shopper a

few dollars it ads up quickly. If you tell the store manager why you

are buying in bulk, they will probably give you a discount.

Sometimes your charity can give you a letterhead form so that people

know you are not just scamming the system. A lot of times smaller

companies, or independant businesses are easy because there is

someone there that can make a decision immediately. 501C3 Tax Exempt

Id's from your organization can save you more.

I know I will break myself soon shopping and getting ready. I also

know the glow that will be in our children's eyes and expressions as

they eat Christmas dinner at Granny's and wonder if the person they

bought for is happy with our packages.

Hate to go shopping? Have no mobility? Get the address of the

child/children you would like to help. E Bay is a wonderful way to

send a gift without ever touching it. You pick it out, buy it, and

have the seller send it directly to your person.

I would ask that you prayerfully, or look interspectfully consider

these ideas. Not just for those who are helped, but for the helper

and a feeling of a job done well. If you have children, then they

get the extra gift that is earned.

Times are tough, budgets are even tighter, and I realize this.

Blessings, and thank you for letting me put out a lengthy note.

Barbara