As I sit in front of my computer thinking of what I will be working on today, I can’t help but be thankful. In the past two hours the temperature has risen two degrees to a balmy 39 degrees. I am thankful I am inside and have shelter overhead. Today I will be working on getting things for our Adopt-a-Family. The Adopt-a-Family family is a program that our office at David Lyng Real Estate supports. I am the office representative to assist 4 families. What this program does it provide a way for a number of families to receive gifts and presents during the holidays. In a society bloated with excess, these members do not have material excess. So I am, with the help of many fine agents in my office, to bring some basic needed items and hopefully some cheer and solace, to their holidays.
So I ponder about the people, of whom I have a thumbnail sketch of. Who are they, and I wonder of their life and circumstances? I have had low parts of my life as many have; holidays can be a difficult time. I do enjoy helping people buy homes, because as a realtor, that is one aspect of my job. It is the “home” aspect that we all like; the place to call ours, to do what we want. Just having a home is a challenge, financially now for many. These folks though do not have that problem, theirs is often far more basic, where can I live on my meager income in this high cost area? Theirs is a more basic one as in “we need clothes for our children, for ourselves, dishes and the like”. They are not asking for the X box or I pods, but shoes and socks, jackets to ward off the cold.
Many of us have excess of material things and a dearth of spiritual things like compassion, giving or caring for others. It is a time of year we are reminded by going to the store and hearing and seeing the Salvation Army reminding us there is a need for donations large and small.