Sue Moon’s Blog

John Irving wrote a book titled A Prayer for Owen Meany and in it Owen states:  “I have felt that yuletide is a special hell for those families who have suffered any loss or who must admit to any imperfection; the so-called spirit of giving can be as greedy as receiving – Christmas is our time to be aware of what we lack, of who’s not home.”

I prefer to focus on  the gala, the decorating, the cooking, special gifts, the donations etc., however this year I have been made so keenly aware of the displaced in our world. The millions of people living in exile without their customs, their ethnic foods, family, friends, homes and all they have lost.

How do we celebrate when so many cannot? This is how I am moving into December this year…………….where is it my place to help?  I am signing petitions, mailing to my congressman etc……..I am also collecting canned foods, toiletries and the like for our homeless shelters here in town.

I am not giving up my cherished Christmas rituals, I am adding to them to include us all.