Holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, give gifts and enjoy the season. But there is also a deeper meaning behind the season. It is a time to remember those who cannot be with us on this day. It is also a time to give back to those in need.
It is a time to give thanks for what we have and to be grateful for the many blessings that surround us. We need to remember that in this life, there will always be those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And no matter how terrible things may seem on any given day, there are people out there who have it worse off than we do.
So, when you are sitting around the dinner table this holiday season, remember to think of those who do not have a place to call home. Think about all the children out there who are hungry and do not have enough clothes to keep them warm in the winter months. Think about those who do not have anyone to love them. And think about all the people out there who are sick and suffering but have no one to help them get better.
The point is, we are all lucky to have what we do. And whether it is a warm bed or a warm meal, there are people out there who do not have those luxuries. So, this year, instead of focusing on what you do not have, remember that there are people out there who need your help more than anything else.
Sometimes the best gifts are not necessarily expensive or materialistic; they are often small tokens of affection that mean the most when given from the heart. They say, "I remember," "I appreciate," or "I love you." A hand-written letter, a drawing made by your child, a photo album put together by your spouse, these are all things that show how much you care about someone else and how much they mean.
I want to thank the people that already donate without expecting anything back. Just like our Men and Women overseas serving for our country, you too are considered heroes for your acts of kindness. A family will be warm, have food in their tummy, and the children will have toys to play with for Christmas.
People take for granted all of what they have, and sometimes live in their own little world. The world where nothing matters but themselves. It is hard to believe that we still have “Scrooges” today, and the sad part is they know who they are.
Families that have less, have given more than folks that have more than enough to burn, it really is a shame. Who remembers donation collecting Santa? You do not see many of those anymore, do you? Over the years I have wondered why, possibly “Not enough volunteers,” or maybe “Not many people donating anymore,” the list can go on for that question.
Please understand I am not saying all people with lots of money are penny-pinchers, I am sure they help in one way or another. What I am saying is there are families struggling to make ends meet, and I am talking about diligent families that do not deserve to live like this.
I am a 40 hour a week employee, and I know what those families are going through, just like most of you know.
We cannot continue to group these hardworking families along with people that are not willing to work, and seem to enjoy living life taking from others, or collecting a government check for doing nothing. Shameful to say, but this trend has become so bad that those collecting a free check can afford better clothing and shoes than working class families working 40 hours a week.
I know that there are programs out there to help those that cannot make ends meet, but it is hard when your pride gets in the way, the families feel worse when they need to ask for help even after putting so much effort into trying to do it themselves. Those that read this will understand what I am saying.
Just like you, I have heard stories of people doing wonderful things like leaving great big tips to servers just for being nice or displaying a smile, even though we all know those legs, feet, and back are killing them. Stories like that restore faith in humanity for me, it gives hope that not all people in the world are misers.
Let us all make a conscious effort to make this holiday season special not just for ourselves, but for friends, family, and someone you will probably never meet, but know in your heart that someone, or some family out there will have a wonderful holiday.
To my readers: I know my post are exceedingly long. I write what I feel and the things I experience in life, I try to give you an enjoyable read and hopefully I am. But like I said these are my thoughts typed out for all to read.
Thank you
Daniel Marrero
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