I am Santa Claus

I had a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas this year as in most years but I did something this year that I have never done before and it turned out to be a very rewarding experience. I decided that I wanted to try the Blue Santa delivery day here in Round Rock so I contacted Vinnie Cherrone, the President of the Round Rock Blue Santa organization and committee member Sandy Wright to get the schedule of the date and time for the delivery of the packages to the families in the Round Rock area.

The day was Friday the 19Th of December at 8:30 am. We were to arrive at that time to get our maps and paperwork along with the packages for delivery. On arrival one of the first things I noticed was how neat and clean the area was where all the packages and boxes were staged for delivery. Perfectly aligned as if placed on a chalk line and every box was labeled and lined up in rows along the doorways of the large warehouse. Volunteers were everywhere and everyone was in a jovial mood, some wearing Santa hats and other Christmas attire, coffee and doughnuts were served along with soft drinks and other beverages, it was a very festive atmosphere but everyone there knew there was work to be done and they were there to get it done.

With over 500 boxes set for delivery it was important that the boxes get out of the door and on their way as soon as possible. And that's exactly what happened. At 9:00 after brief announcements and instructions from Vinnie, the vehicles started lining up to load and it was on. After loading boxes in my car and getting the paperwork and maps, I was on my way. With Christmas music from Majic 95 blaring loudly in my car loaded with boxes, I started toward my destination. I felt just like Santa Claus himself, in fact, I was wishing I had a bigger vehicle so I could get more boxes in it or maybe a huge sleigh with a bunch of reindeer, something like that.

It was a great feeling to deliver those boxes to the families in Round Rock that badly needed them. And humbling too. You realize a few things when you're doing something like that. You realize how lucky you are to have what you have and how great it is that there are organizations like Blue Santa that work as hard as they do to do these things for the community. Hundreds of hours went into the collection, wrapping, and distribution of those packages and it was done by people with generous hearts and boundless spirit. It was great just to be involved in a small part of it and something that I will definitely be involved in next year.

Christmas 08

I'm slowly realizing that I'm right in the middle of one of the most historic times since this country's inception. No matter how you wanted the election to go, the fact of the matter is that it was one of the turning points in the political realm and an important milestone. I was there. I got to vote in that election. I watched as wildfires burned up people's homes in California and winds of 75 mph. ripped through canyons, carrying fire and destroying people's belongings. I grieved for those people and I can only imagine what that would be like. I have watched as the economy of this country has faltered and brought panic and concern to it's citizens who have lost jobs, savings, retirement, and their sense of security. I was there. I'm witnessing that very thing every day, just like everyone else.

And yet, I'm looking at all this and I'm really not all that worried. I don't worry because it is wasted effort actually, the act of worrying. You can learn a lot by watching the creatures of nature that live around you. I heard the statement the other day that "birds don't know how to worry". Think about that. Have you ever seen a bird wringing its wings or slamming it's beak against a tree because another bird took it's food or if it is raining or if it didn't agree with another bird's song? I didn't think so. They are born with a purpose and they know what it is and everyday of their lives is spent on that purpose. They may get shot, run over by cars, electrocuted on high wires, sucked up in airplane engines or eaten by cats, but at least when they got up that morning they were not worried about anything. They just know they have a purpose.

I'm very excited about Christmas of 08 and the year that will be following it. I have so many blessings to be thankful for it would fill up this whole page and then some. I've also had my share of hardships and problems, just like everybody else. But I would like to think of myself as more of a bird than a person and I think the average bird is going to have a very good year in 2009, no matter what happens.

So have a very merry Christmas and happy new year and just keep in mind that it will all get better if you keep moving, thinking, living, loving and caring.

Watch the birds.