A Special Holiday Message







At this time of year when so many of us are snug in our beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads, it's natural to want to give to those less fortunate than us. However, I want to urge you to make it as impersonal as possible. Organizations like the United Way need your support all year, and now is a fine time to think about donating money to them, or perhaps a tenderly used coat or wrapped gift for a little one.

But it's also possible at this time of year that you may know or come into contact with people who may need your help. I urge you to do your best to ignore these people. They should be going to their local churches for help, or contacting their nearest homeless shelter not pestering you personally and making you feel remorse. After all, that's not what this holiday season is about is it? No, it's about the giving, and the receiving, and the egg nog.

But try not to get in the face of people you don't want to give to personally, because it can only lead to depressing contact, awkward silence, or criticism and rebuke of the person's condition and Lord knows they get enough of that everyday that they certainly don't need it from you.

Now if you'll excuse me, you're in my way at the buffet line.

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