Take a moment

By PJ Martin, Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division

The holidays are supposed to be a happy and a special time for families and a magical time for children. The holiday events, decorated trees, parades, and Christmas shopping keep families busy as bees.

Beginning around November we see the emergence of angel trees, Salvation Army kettles, and coat and toy drives. These are all wonderful charitable ways to help people and make sure children have a gift under the tree on Christmas morning, but what about those who don’t quite fit into those categories.

Think about your neighborhood. Are there elderly living alone with no relatives nearby? Maybe they have lost their spouse recently. Do they have someone who comes to visit or are they alone? How much would it mean to them if you stopped by just to say hello and talk for a while? Make a little extra food and take it to them, bring them a gift, or even invite them to your home for holiday dinner?

Everyone needs to know that someone cares. The world has a lot of stressful situations and sometimes the person who acts the strongest needs someone to talk to the most. I’m sure everyone can think of someone that could use a kind word.

Think about the folks in the nursing homes. A lot of them may have no family at all to visit them. They may receive no gifts or Christmas cards. Sure the staff tries to make the holidays as festive as possible for them, but it just isn’t the same. No one wants to be forgotten.

Tell the people that work around you, thank you. Compliment people you meet. Brighten their day.

We all get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but for just a minute you could make someone smile.