Believe

I asked in the last post about the spirit of Christmas. Perhaps it isn't just about giving, but also about faith. The faith we have in what we cannot see, but can only imagine. Right now it seems that everywhere I turn there are only sad tidings. But that isn't the spirit with which my country was founded. So many people who have went before imagined a different world. One where anything was possible for those who worked hard and kept the faith in something larger than themselves.

Maybe we need to regain that faith we had in ourselves and in a larger meaning to life.

Remember...

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!

A Christmas of Comfort

It's Christmas time again. So what have you been doing to keep the spirit alive? Or perhaps a better question is, what is the spirit of Christmas? I've done some decorating, some shopping, and I've made my fudge and will probably make another type of candy today. Next weekend will be the Christmas cookies to take to a Christmas Day gathering. It's what many of us do. Perhaps it is our version of self sacrifice and giving. Fighting those crowds at the stores isn't a pleasant thing. ;)

But while we have been doing those types of things, others have been up to something quite different. I ran across an article just today about the USNS Comfort. It is one of our hospital ships, which is sent to support our troops, to assist at disaster areas, and has also been tasked to aid those in South America who have little access to medical care.

USNS Comfort

Some have asked why so many people want to come to the United States. Perhaps the answer lies in something so many seem to have forgotten. It is something that is within all of us, the compassion and kindness to recognize people in need and to offer help.

I also ran across this video of a scene from “The Newsroom”.

Maybe the place where Christmas spirit resides is also where a great country does too.

A Day of Mourning

Today we observed a day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush. A man who garnered the respect of many who were fortunate enough to have known him. In this day of bitter political rivalry, and the self absorption of so many, it was almost a relief to reflect on the life of someone who came from a gentler generation, someone who believed in something greater than himself.

We will miss your light.

(This is one speech where W. shined.  His father would have been proud.)