Reason for the Season

Last week I complained about the commercialism today (people camping out for a game!). Yesterday, I received an email that let me know there is still hope for the world and that there are many young people willing to make a difference. I received my niece's Christmas wish-list. She's a senior in high school, and obviously very grown up. Her wish list is for people to contribute to World Vision (buying things like vaccinations, books, animals, etc). The kicker and the part that makes you believe in Christmas is her closing comments, "What's great is it's perfectly fine if more than one person gets the same thing! Please note that this is not in addition to another gift--this is what I want for Christmas, so please treat this like you would any other gift. There should be no "material accompaniment." This is a serious request, not merely politeness. I got this idea after my experiences in Peru this summer; I want to see that at least some children get what they need this Christmas instead of myself receiving things I don't." Viva l'esprit de noël.

Lauren, thanks for making my day, my week, my season.

On a lighter note, this calendar entry is for Cindy.