Happy Holidays Everyone!

[ProfWag]

Although I don't believe in a deity, I do find this time of the year"magical" and enjoy thinking and reminiscing about family, friends, and all that is good in the world (though that's challenging sometimes.)
May you all be safe and healthy!

[The23rdman]

Back at you, Prof. May all your days be magical.

[Arouet]

Same to all of you. Though this year is a bit bitter-sweet as I won't be there for my kids to open their presents as they'll be at the exe's.

[Scepcop]

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you like our new Xmas forum theme. lol

[Arouet]

[really?]

[NinjaPuppy]

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'll be heading out this afternoon to get my yearly reminder of what Christmas is really about. I'll be spending my day at a local school with almost 200 children who have never experienced what most of us take for granted as Christmas.

My first experience with this program put me in tears. When I recall the memories of that first time, I still get a tad weepy. It's a bittersweet combination of sorrow and joy that puts the spirit of Christmas into a whole new perspective for me.

Here's a quote from a now grown recipient of this program:
She related that she enjoyed and appreciated all of the things she received in the two years she attended, but the one thing that had the greatest impact was, “Knowing that someone cared that I had a Christmas Day. Someone took time out of their Christmas Day so that I could have one.”

If you want to get all bleary eyed, spend some time with kids who only know Christmas as some urban legend. Then there's the ones who know about Christmas but one year, it just disappeared. It happened right after their brother or sister came down with all those medical problems or dad died in some horrible accident.

These are not simply children of hard times. These are children who when handed a gift, they look at you and ask if they can give it to their brother or sister because they'd like to see them get a Christmas present. I have to explain to them that their brother and sister will get one too and they don't quite understand that concept.

Not one child there ever puts their hands out in anticipation of getting something. I've never heard, "Where's mine?" or even so much as a "Can I have one too?". They sit there quietly eating their turkey, tators and stuffing, just happy to be fed. Many of them think that a full belly is their gift today.

[ProfWag]

That's fantastic and humbling Ninja. Thanks for doing what you do and for reminding us what this season is all about.

[Arouet]

Hmmm- now you're making me feel bad about my plans to stay home all day and play videogames!

Good for you Ninja! Merry Xmas!

[NinjaPuppy]

[Arouet]

It was me, Ninja, not PW. And now that I've just woken up from a three hour nap I may very well just go do that!

[SydneyPSIder]

Hopefully Obamacare will make a difference.

And may all your Xmases be white. (Except here where it's summer.)

[NinjaPuppy]

[NinjaPuppy]

How is everyone else around here intending to spend NYE?

We're going to a local group party. Around here, the traditional party for any occasion is a 'covered dish' event. I'm bringing a veggie tray and hoppin' John. If y'all don't know what that is, here's......... Wikipedia!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoppin%27_John

[ProfWag]