From the end of October (Halloween) until the beginning of the New Year, things in this country are markedly different. What I mean by this is that families, friends, and even strangers come together like at no other time during the year. At Halloween, people step out of their houses and their comfort zones, and walk around with their kids or grandchildren, allowing them to walk up to houses they would never go near at any other day or time of the year, chanting "trick or treat." This year, and with good weather the task was much easier. We exchanged several greetings with people we had never met before and also conversed with neighbors who we hadn't seen outside in months.
At Thanksgiving, we mostly hang out with family, but this time of the year definitely warrants helping out others who have far less in their pockets. The selfless give time, money, and their undivided attention to making a difference in someone else's life. Some of us even spend our day serving the least, last and lost down at a local soup kitchen. The examples of individuals, churches, and businesses helping others is endless.
Then, at Christmas time (my personal favorite season of the year despite the cold in Michigan), people continue what they started during Thanksgiving by offering their gifts, their help, their kindness to not only fellow friends and family, but also those they have no acquaintance with. This, in my view, is the best part of Christmas. People are friendly and gracious like no other time during the year. Families gather from all parts of the globe to celebrate, to reminisce, to exchange gifts, to hang out.
While there are certainly other memorable and good times during the year, I wish the season upon us would come around more often. In my view, the world and this country would be a lot better if we all got together more than once a year, got over ourselves and our agenda more often, and started offering our time, money and attention to others instead.
This is my Christmas wish. While it's easier said than done, I'm going to try.
