Christmas Spirit
I find myself wondering about the Christmas
Spirit. It’s this time of year I see
more visitors at the VA hospital in Dallas.
But for some I have to wonder if it’s the goodness in their hearts or
the advertising they receive for making such a visit. And there are veterans there all through the
year. I know of one veteran that has
been there for at least 15 years. I know
some that have been there as long as I have been volunteering. All appreciate any visit they get any time of
year. Some have outlived family and
friends. Others have family and friends
too sick to visit. And along the way
some family and friends get sick of visiting.
Some are there to get better so they can go home. Some are there until they are called home.
Sometime in November the visits start. Some bring gifts, gift baskets or food. Some bring bags full of company logo paraphernalia. There are blankets, food, cards, and
carolers. Their time with the veterans
is limited. So many rooms to visit and
so little time. Usually none of them willing
or able to spend any time to get to know a veteran.
It’s also in November when more people tend to want to
send packages and letters to our service men and women. People
open up their wallets and donate to Salvation Army, animal shelters, and
homeless shelters to name but a few. In the
name of Christmas Spirit many will donate to food panties, toy drives and the
otherwise underprivileged.
Inevitable, January will roll around. For many the Spirit of Christmas and good
will dries up. People go back to their
everyday lives. Their jobs, families and
other obligations consume their time and thoughts. Many making the excuse that they “don’t have
the time” to give of themselves, volunteer or donate. I hear it all the time from friends and
others I know.
So it’s almost Christmas time again. I find myself thinking of friends and family
that I can’t be with. Some have passed
on. Some live too far away. And other reasons for yet others. Yet I find myself feeling fortunate. There are people in my life that I love and
that love me. I have people in my life
that I can trust. And I get to try and
feel like I’m making a difference year round with my volunteer work. Maybe it’s selfish of me? I get to feel like I’m making a difference
year round. Whether I’m volunteering at
the VA hospital, doing Citizen On Patrol rounds in my neighborhood, attending
neighborhood planning meetings, or organizing a Neighborhood Watch
meeting.
Maybe I have a hard time understanding the Christmas
Spirit because I try to give all year long.
It’s not just about sending a card for the holidays. It’s not about the lights, the decorations or
the Christmas tree. It’s not about the
presents given, received and exchanged.
It’s about the smiles that I see year round. It’s the neighbor that waves as I patrol the
neighborhood. It’s about the police
officer that I speak with and offer a bottle of water as he drives through the
neighborhood. It’s about the few that
care enough to show up at a Neighborhood Watch meeting. It’s about the veteran who smiles when I walk
into their room for a weekly visit. And
yet they all really help me feel better about myself and my life. Since there are those I can’t be there for, I
try to be there for others. And in
exchange, it all gives me a reason to smile.
Some days it’s really rough and those smiles keep me going.
So this year? I
hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Winter Solstice. And if it’s Christmas or a holiday that help
you be more giving a certain time of year?
I hope that this year you can find that giving spirit all year round.