Holiday Hopes

Welcome ladies and gents,
This is the second blog for me and I have a few things to address, the first being the sheer gluttony that has become the holiday season. I hate going to stores from Black Friday through the day after Christmas, all I hear is little kids whining for material things they want, parents complaining about how much money everything costs, and the constant and complete aural barrage of non stop Christmas music! I am sorry, I am a Jew, I admit this may play into some of my bias but honestly it is not fair to force someone to listen to the same songs being sung by different people for over 30 days straight! I have yet to ever be out and hear one Hanukkah song or see anything for Kwanzaa....not to mention people say the Christmas spirit is infectious, I want more *JOY* and less *OY* in my holiday. I want to hear kids be appreciative of everything they have and stop whining about what they want to get. I want to hear parents worry less about what little Timmy is going to think about only five presents this year and that they cost less than what was purchased last year, and more about what little Timmy is doing to make this world a better place. Timmy needs to be *TAUGHT* by his parents about love, giving (both of your time and your spirit) and charity. If these things are instilled in him then the spirit of the holiday lives on and the holiday season truly will be rewarding and enjoyable for everyone...but on the flip side of this coin, homeless don't just need food on Thanksgiving and Christmas, families in need don't just need assistance on Christmas, and charities don't just need money around this time of year. This is my call and my challenge to everyone out there:

BE BETTER! I know it is hard and it is not fun or pretty but it is needed, especially now. Be better than your current self, give more of your time to those who need it. That TV show will be on again, that book will still be on the night stand later, the movie will be on DVD soon enough. We are talking about real honest to God human beings that are suffering and depressed that don't know how to move forward through it, kids that just need an adult to take or show some interest, a single mom who just needs a little break so she can get her head above water...whatever you can do, do it...don't throw money at the situation one time a year and think it has removed your obligation or fulfilled it. Volunteer for Christmas Cheer, spend time rebuilding bikes, join big brothers and big sisters, read at the local library, sign up to be a free tutor in a subject you excel in...offer to take and print free family holiday pictures, bake cookies or cupcakes for a family you know that needs a little boost and decorate them with the kids, do something, anything...but for all that you hold sacred and cherish in your life, don't make this time of year about the gifts. I cannot stand and do not want gifts to be the center of this season any more. I have done a little, not enough by any means, to aide the world in the little ways I know how. I have chosen Christmas Cheer as my recipient of time this year. They help on the basic level of giving hope to families in need with food, toiletries, and toys for children, they run solely on a volunteer staff and give what is left to the Goodwill so that there is never anything left over or wasted. I also will be signing up for the SPCA because they too are short handed. My husband is working on building bikes for children and teens so that they have something under the tree to help them to and from school, sports events, and keep them in shape...it is something he is passionate about and has been involved in for YEARS. If you want information on local charities that need volunteers feel free to contact me. I have done research on many, all are worthy and have different levels of time commitments needed. This was not meant to be a downer, and I should conclude this with some back story. My grandmother was rushed to the emergency room on Thursday night and was released late on Saturday. Sunday I went to a store to grab her groceries and a few movies to keep her busy and sitting for the day.....sadly all I heard while at the store was Christmas music and a lot of complaints about how much money everyone was spending or how little they had to spend...that wasn't the worst part, I went to best buy to get her the movies, and all of a sudden I hear Christmas music being drowned out by several greedy tantrums of I want, I want, if you loved me you would get....I was sickened...revolted, and realized that though I am not free of guilt from being a spoiled child at times, my parents were amazing at instilling in me the understanding that just because I get, or they like to give, I also needed to give. We used to get $20 from my mom as a Hanukkah gift, and that was money for us to go spend at a Toy store buying a toy for another child, something that we would like and wanted but would give away to someone else who needed it more, or who wouldn't have anything at all if we didn't give. They sent me to my Grandma and Grandpa's house to be taken to the soup kitchens to help serve on Christmas. My Grandpa who died, always told me on those nights that it was a gift from God to serve another human being and being God's servant is a gift that can never be topped. I have been through my selfish periods of wanting my time for myself. I am not sure I won't go through one again, but I am trying, trying to be the best that I can be and I urge the rest of you to do the same. We all are capable of giving something, something that another person needs. It is called Charity in English, Tzedakah, in Hebrew. There are different levels of Tzedakah, the highest of which is giving with out the receiver knowing who gave...meaning it is a complete donation with the giver never being recognized for it...that is what I hope to achieve this year.

Happy Holidays to All!