December 17, 2007
CHRISTMAS! WHERE THE HEART IS!
Many years ago I found myself far from home as Christmas approached. I was in a country that spoke a different language and I hardly knew anyone I was with. There was no escaping the fact it was December 24th and the next day was sure to come.
Had I been a child removed from mum, dad, sisters and a visit to Santa, I can imagine the trauma of no stocking hanging on the mantle, no tree, no presents, no Christmas songs to sing along with (“All I want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” and Gene Autry singing “Frosty the Snowman” were my favorites) and no turkey dinner! I would have found a way to celebrate in some way. No matter what! .
This wasn’t going to be easy. The place where we were staying had no fir or pine trees to chop down for a Christmas tree, let alone a stove to cook a turkey. Heck there weren’t even any turkeys in that part of the planet. What about gifts? Presents? Oh, what to do? When in doubt call an emergency meeting! We huddled up and agreed ….if there was a will there was a way…. we needed to capture that magic of Christmas spirit found in a child. The adventure had begun!
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“I promise to do my best , to do my duty to God and the Queen, to keep the law of the wolf cub pack and do a good deed for someone every day”! Wow! I took that pledge when I was about 8 years old. My first promise or pledge I guess. It was a vital step in becoming a cub scout. I must admit I don’t seem to recall my duty to God and the Queen or the “pack law” though I am sure it was all honorable stuff. As for the daily good deed, I don’t seem to recall keeping a journal of my efforts. “Ya wanna be a cub”? “Take the pledge”!
Like many Canadians, I recently celebrated Thanksgiving Day with family. I find it interesting that we officially designate one day a year to expressing “thanks”. However, I’ve also noticed that there is an “awareness movement” occurring where people are tuning into “an attitude of gratitude”.
Not long ago a team mate passed away and I attended his funeral service. There in the chapel were members of the immediate family, close friends; those considered to be part of his extended family and of course, a minister to guide the service. Dan had been a policeman and many former colleagues were there. I attended with a number of his team-mates. We had played ball together.
Like many others, on November 11th, I took the time to pause, reflect and honor those who have gone to war. I watched the ceremony on television and said a quiet "thank you". What am I saying thank you for and why do I feel a sense of sorrow?
Did you watch the recent account of a former U.S. Marine who just happened to be near ground zero in New York that tragic day 6 years ago. His story was central to a truly emotional T.V. show that built his family a wonderful new home. A beautiful example of joy thru generosity!
When you take the Banana Gang Pledge "you pwomise" (among other things) "to twy to have some fun evwy day". Here's an example of how easy it can be. Last week we were invited by a family member to a Nature Trust fund-raiser. The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a non-governmental charitable organization dedicated to preserving some of B.C.'s endangered ecosystems and areas of spectacular beauty. It's certainly a worthwhile cause.