December….a magical time in so many ways!

For many the upcoming celebration of the birth of Christ and the many celebrations of Christianity highlight this time of year. For others it is a time of year for families to get together and catch up on their lives.

Whether we celebrate Christmas or not we are all drawn in to some extent by the hustle and bustle of the season with busy stores, wintery weather, and the endless advertising of the latest and greatest toys and electronics that you can give to your loved ones.

My Christmas wish is that everyone will take a moment to think of those less fortunate and give back to the many volunteer organizations in your community that make a difference, whether it is the local food bank, breakfast programs, Salvation Army kettles, or the toy drives.

An office I worked at several years ago adopted Christmas families through a local agency every year. I will always remember delivering several boxes of food, clothing, and toys from our office on Christmas Eve to a single mother with two children.  They were living in an old house in Downtown Nanaimo.  There was no furniture in the house at all, just old mattresses and bedding on the floor.  A single strand of Christmas lights had been taped to the living room window in the shape of a tree.  I will never forget the tears as I left for my home, their tears and mine.

That was a turning point for me, the realization that I lived a very rich life by comparison, and ever since, I have tried to give back wherever I can.

Whatever your Christmas looks like, or how, or if, you celebrate it, may this time of year be filled with happiness!