December 2006
12/6/2006
CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS
Through the eyes of a child, the world is very different than the world we adults see. We were all children at one time and we often forget.
I saw something today. A mother and her small son came upon a Wheeling Police Officer outside the City-County building. The boy’s young, innocent eyes widened at the sight of the officer in awe and respect. That officer spoke to the boy and his mother. I missed some of the conversation but I learned that the mother mentioned to the officer that her son wanted to see the Police Station. The officer spoke more to the child; then took him and his mother into the Police Department to give them a tour. The look on that child’s face as he walked toward the door with the officer was something that is reserved only for children. Parents have seen that look: excitement, happiness, respect, and awe.
As I stood on the sidewalk and watched this enraptured little boy talking with the Police Officer then being invited and escorted into the Police Station, I was filled with emotion: respect for the officer who embraced the opportunity with this child, admiration for him and the other officers who eagerly welcomed the boy; the child, himself, who looked at the officer as though he was Santa Claus.
In a word, it was inspiring.
This got me to thinking about how we can all have that kind of effect, especially during Christmastime. Such a small gesture on our part can be an enormous impact on a child.
Christmas is traditionally a time of giving. I also know that we in the Ohio Valley are generous and compassionate; that has been proven time and again. That’s more awe, respect and emotion that are deservedly given to the people of the Ohio Valley.
Many are the ways we can make a child’s innocent, hopeful eyes alight on Christmas Day. Just as the officer did today, it only takes a bit of effort. We may have stopped believing in Santa Claus, but HE never stopped believing in US. The Spirit of Christmas lies in each and every one of us: love, compassion and support.
We’ve all seen the barrels for toys (or food) at Christmastime, haven’t we? Those barrels and what is given is what will make a difference to a child or a family. The impact of what is given to those who receive is extraordinary. One small toy put in the barrel will delight a child on Christmas Day. Who can resist that look on a child’s face on Christmas Day as he or she sees presents under the Christmas tree?
After seeing my nieces and nephews on Christmas Day, as well as being a young boy myself on Christmas Day and the joy I remember and the joy and delight and excitement I see on their faces now, I truly wish for every child to experience that. To that end, I’ll do what I can to contribute to a child’s very Merry Christmas.
Will you join me?
12/13/2006
CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Those who DEMAND any mention of Christ be removed from our society baffle me. Removing "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, removing the Ten Commandments from public buildings; seems they have forgotten many of the bases on which our Country was built.
Here is Christmas. Won’t all of our ears bleed with the objections of the "religious overtones"? Well, frankly, Christmas IS a Christian Holiday, the birth of Jesus Christ. As well, our Country was founded on Christian beliefs. Of course, everyone has the right to religious freedom; but what is as well often forgotten is "for the People, by the People;" in other words, majority rules. Our elections are the same way.
I find it odd, if not hypocritical, that those who so vocally and politically reject Christmas, for example, don’t mind having the day off work. Neither do they mind when they may be allowed to leave early from work on Good Friday. They seem to be against "Christianity" yet they are selfish enough to benefit from it.
Everyone’s spiritual beliefs are personal, as they should be. We are free to believe and practice whatever spirituality we have. That is one of the beauties of the United States of America.
We are also a nation of "For the People, by the People" and no one person is more important than another.
12/20/2006
GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST
During the Christmas Season, I’m sure we’ve all heard the song "Grown-Up Christmas List."
It’s really a pretty song with very good intentions. An adult who is asking for Christmas very different things than he or she asked in childhood, "childhood fantasies."
"No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list"
Unfortunately, Santa Claus cannot deliver these; the only way these wishes can become reality is up to US, each and every one of us.
If we would live our lives with compassion for others, respect for others as well as ourselves, honor, acceptance and love, that grown-up Christmas list could become reality.
However, we don’t live our lives that way. We are quick to arrogance, intolerance, self-righteousness, bigotry and hatred. We are too often selfish in our attitudes; we easily forget or ignore the fact that NO ONE is more important than another and EVERYONE has his or her own feelings, thoughts and ideas.
We forget the Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
The Christmas Season is a time when we give, love and celebrate. If we would only feel and live that same feeling of giving and love the other eleven months of the year, that Grown-Up Christmas List could come true. But it takes all of us to make the effort.
12/27/2006
NEW YEAR
New Year, it will be A NEW YEAR, another chance to start again. Then again, it is more like "everything old is new again." What is the tradition for a New Year? RESOLUTIONS!
Do you make New Year Resolutions? Here are mine:
Stop drinking. Then again, on New Year’s Day, a "hair of the dog that bit me" could actually be in order.
Stop smoking. Though the irritability of withdrawal and too many candies and lollipops and subsequent weight-gain may make me think twice.
Exercise more. Get into shape physically, walk more than just to the coffee pot, the refrigerator and the bathroom. On January 1, 2007, I WILL exercise more. By January 2, the thought of the effort, the sweat will take hold; I’ll put it on NEXT year’s resolution list.
Be kinder. That one is easy; that is until I come across a total asshole that really needs to have his ass shoved up into his shoulder blades.
Be more compassionate. That’s another easy one; that is until I come across someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of compassion and therefore requires a lesson about what it really means.
Be more forgiving. Okay, I can do that. I can forgive those who have, either intentionally or unintentionally, wronged me. I can let go of the urge to destroy them completely.
Be more understanding. It will take effort, but I think I can do that. I will listen to self-righteous diatribes; I will listen to "woe-is-me" whining; I will listen to self-centered, self-absorbed thinking about how much one’s own feelings and desires matter more than anyone else’s. I will listen to these and I will understand. Okay, you know what? Not even I could pull THAT off for more than twenty minutes.
Okay, I’m not making ANY New Year’s resolutions. Not a one of them would last past the first week of January anyway.
The New Year isn’t a "clean slate" or "fresh start." It is the end of one year and the beginning of another year. Period. We are all the same people on January 1, 2007, that we were on December 31, 2006.
Instead of "resolutions" I will change my calendar. I will continue on my journey of life. I will continue to learn about others and myself. I will continue to be as true to myself as I can be; and live my life as honestly, honorably and respectably as I can.
Happy New Year everyone!
P.S. At the end of this year, 2006, I would like to thank WVAsQueerNews, the management, staff and readers for all they’ve given me and allowed me. Thank you all for the opportunity, the support and feedback I’ve received. All of you have, on numerous times, made this man’s heart full with emotion, thankfulness and humility. Thank you.
Joey
bravenet.com