NOW we have snow....and taking back the holiday.

.....Yeah..I meant to tell y'all a couple of days ago, butit was the kinda snow where I wasn't sure it was gonna stick around for a bit...Outside the snow gently falling looks quite pretty, and a little hypnotic. Snow is really hypnotic when you're driving down the highway and it makes you feel like you're in Star Wars movie, going at light speed. Yeah..I'm weird...maybe I did too many drugs back in the day..lol.
I have to admit something folks....I'm really not into the Christmas hype at all anymore. I mean, when you're a kid, with no cares in the world besides hoping that cute guy in your Grade 2 class will mark the "Yes" box on the note you passed in answer to your question "Will you be my friend?", Christmas is the be all and end all of seasons. Finally you get the gift you've been waiting for (forever to you, but to the 'rents, its only been a month since you first saw it advertised in the Christmas Catalogue from Sears), and look forward to the moment you can tear away the wrapping paper from the gift from Santa (tho it was Mom who wrapped it only an hour after you fell asleep the night before), and try out the new toy. But times have changed. I saw a commercial the other day that pissed me off. Now I know it was only a commercial sending people the message that its important to get people what they want for the holidays. Have you see this commercial? It looks like a montage of home movies where kids who, after opening their gifts throw the most disgusting fits of rage when they realize its not the gift they were hoping for. Whats pisses me off mainly is the parents feeble attempts to subdue the brat, so they can have the perfect home movie of Christmas. One kid threw the biggest tantrum, and tips the Christmas tree over. I mean, come on! A part of me thinks if I had a kid that turned out that ungrateful, I'd give him five across the eyes. That kid would never get another gift ever again. I think though that if I had kids, I wouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior. But I know parents have a hard time teaching their kids good morals, especially when they see bad examples on TV, movies, and games. Why should a kid care that millions of people are dying in 3rd world countries of starvation or AIDS, especially when the new war game by Playstaton is out. Have you noticed these war games that have come out recently? They are so realistic, is it no wonder we have kids walking into their classes with rifles and sawed off shotguns and shooting their peers? That'd be the day I have a child that throws a fit cause I didn't buy them a game that lets them practise killing people.
I think its high time we took back Christmas. Sure, it originally was a 12 day pagan festival celebrated by the early Romans called Saturnalia, but for others it has a spiritual meaning...celebrating Jesus' birth, and also celebrating family and friendships. I have not done Christmas shopping this year. I really don't want to be surrounded with messages to spend my hard earned money for something that someone will never use, or would trade it in on Boxing Day for something better. I'm quite tired of the "pissing" contest that ensues among family members this time of year..who can get the best, most expensive presents. Doesn't impress me.
So lets take back Christmas. Now ......what am going to suggest may be hard, but in the end, you'll feel a hell of a lot better, not to mention see peoples true colors. Don't spend your money on your family members..no.......... not even your kids. Take that money, and go to www.worldvision.ca and use the money to buy a family a couple of grazing goats, so they have fresh milk for the kids every day. Buy another family 5 fruit trees, so they have food, as well as a way to make money to support their family. Buy another family 6 bags of seeds so they can grow some vegetables. Buy another family a few laying hens so they have eggs to eat and to sell, and also allow them to increase the flock. Foster a child so they can go to school, get a good education, and enable them to help their own people. To me, the true meaning of Christmas is not gifts....its coming together and keeping hope alive for those who need help. And think that if you explain that the money you woulda spent on your kids gift went towards giving someone a chance at life, I think they will understand.
If you're looking at teaching your children about empathy and compassion, volunteer at the soup kitchen in your hometown, and bring your kid to help serve food to those less fortunate. Have your kid volunteer at the Food Bank, making up packages of food to send to families who aren't as fortunate as we are. Have them volunteer and wrap gifts for a Toys for Tots program, and teach those children it is truly better to give rather than receive. Of course we being adults have a obligation to show through example that there is still goodness in the world. Shovel the walk for the elderly on your block. Help someone who's car is stuck in ice and snow and give their car a push. Lots of stuff we can do..not just on Christmas, but every day of the year. Take the clothes that are hanging in your closet that you never wear and are still nice, and donate it to the Sally Ann, and if you're a woman, donate your clothes to a Womans Shelter..A lot of these women when they leave a man who beats them can only leave with the clothes on their backs. Kids clothes can be donated there too, along with unused cribs, highchairs, etc. Pass it on. Visit the elderly in the local Old Age home and wish the a Merry Christmas...maybe work it out so you can go once a week and visit the residents and spend time with them...lots of elderly are simply dropped off at these shelters by their adult children, and they never visit them. If you have a knack for doing hairstyling, give the ladies there a makeover. If you can play an instrument, go and sing for them.
I hope some of you out there will try a few suggestions here in my Blog....but heres the kicker..don't tell me about it. If you do a good deed for someone, I believe the best gifts are the ones you give that no one is aware who did it. For the gift ideas for your kids, it is good to ask them before the holidays what they think of giving up their most expensive gift wish, and use the money to help another kid who doesn't have it so good. I think in most cases, after a few momnts of silent thought, the kid will tell you its a good idea. Get them used to giving more than receiving, and they'll turn out all right....and your Christmas tree will remain unscathed.