The spirit of giving and kindness is alive and thriving this holiday season and I can't tell you how refreshing that is to see.
Story after story I've been hearing - and they come at a time when there is so much hurt and destruction in the world - it can't help but restore a little lost faith in humanity.
From local happenings to those on a grander scale, people are giving back and helping out.
In Saskatchewan, Mosaic just announced a million dollars to help fund the building of 63 new homes (through the Habitat for Humanity program) for families in need in Southern Saskatchewan.
Westjet brought tears to hundreds of eyes last week when it unrolled it's Christmas gesture. Two hundred and fifty customers getting set for a flight were greeted by a Santa. Each was asked what they would like most for Christmas. From socks to big screens TV's they gave their replies, never imagining anything would come of it - UNTIL they reached the luggage carrousel at their destination. Instead of suitcases, wrapped gifts - each with a name tag - appeared. Everything the customers mentioned to Santa, they received. No doubt it's a publicity gimmick, but to see the looks on the faces of the recipients made it a special one all the same.
Yesterday I read a "thank you" written by a woman who had been shopping in Yorkton. Filled with panic she had left her purse in a shopping cart and didn't realize it until she reached home. Rushing back to the store, her purse was nowhere to be found. Sad and upset she returned home only to find a young couple had been calling and searching for her, to return her purse safe and intact. Nice...
Also happening locally, residents have been working together to "pay it forward." Combining efforts until the wee hours of the morning they are gathering, sorting and distributing food, clothes, toys and gifts for families who would otherwise go without this Christmas. Wonderfully, these stories are just a few of too many to mention.
Whether it's a gift, a gesture, or lending a helping hand, this is the true meaning of the holiday season. Christmas isn't about battling it out at Walmart for the gift "little Johnny" is going to toss into the closet with all the others, it's about kindness and togetherness. It's about appreciating what we have and sharing what we can. Remember that as the countdown begins. We can all do a small part to change lives, not just December 25, but the whole year through.
