And sometimes he puts the answer right in your face. I have not been "feeling" the Christmas spirit this year, not sure if its the job uncertainty or what, but I have been indulging a bout of the "poor me's" and have not been able to shake a depressed mood and general malaise. And then I got my work schedule, including a 4:30 am start on Christmas morning for the event at the Convention Center today. I am not complaining about the work, it's what I love. The event is the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner and it is open to anyone who can make it here. They serve a sit down dinner and have entertainment and gifts and toys for those with children. It is almost completely staffed by unpaid volunteers who have been here since Saturday, cooking and setting up the building. There is a drive through set up in back of the building where volunteers collect food bags and deliver them to the people who couldn't come out of the house. It is a very humbling experience to see the volume of people (over 1500) who have come today and it made me realize what a fool I am...(not that I haven't been reminded on numerous occasions). There is a saying in the AA program "There but for the Grace of God go I" and that is the truth. I have nothing to complain about. I have a roof over my head, a job that pays the bills and a life back that I almost drank away. Sometimes you need a kick in the ass to make you realize how blessed you are. And also it gave me the idea that this is something I want to do when I don't have to work anymore. These volunteers bust their butts to put this event together but it is so rewarding to see the gratitude on the faces of the attendees, the smiles on their faces as their children pick out a toy and visit with Santa...I wouldn't mind being on the giving end.
So Merry Christmas to one and all and many blessings for the New Year... (since the Mayan calendar thing didn't happen). I feel like Ebenezer Scrooge waking from his bouts with the Ghosts of Christmas and realizing he didn't miss it after all. Many thanks to those who sent me updated pictures of the kids (they are getting so big) and thanks to Anna and Mike for the book (LOVE IT!). Thank you all for being my friends and reading my ramblings in blog form...(guess its easier than listening in person, eh?). "God bless us all, everyone!" (smart kid that Tiny Tim).
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