Each week I write a blog to let you know what I’ve been up to.  I have to admit sometimes it is not easy.  I’m not that exciting. 

But yesterday as I sat on the loveseat in the living room working on edits to a manuscript, I saw the neighbor across the street pull out with a trailer behind his pickup completely full of new bicycles!  There are only two kids at that house and I wondered why he had a trailer full of new bicycles.  They were bright and shiny and obviously had not been used.  I mentioned it to my husband.  Then this morning, I found on the front page of the Enid News and Eagle (where it should be) a story about my neighbor and his generosity. https://www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/new-bikes-spread-christmas-cheer/image_f8697b94-2ac3-5b37-99e4-3a95704095fa.html  He donated new bicycles, through the fire department and first responders, to kids in need.  He has kids of his own and it is Christmas, but he used his own money to take care of other kids in need.  This is what the Christmas spirit is all about. 

My tree is up and presents wrapped. They are spilling out into the floor.  I have some desserts to bake tomorrow for our Christmas dinner on Tuesday at my son’s house and then I’m finished.  I announced to my husband I had not used a credit card, nor had I dipped into savings this year.  I was proud of my accomplishment. And then I saw what my neighbor did.  I felt like a bum.

I made a small donation to the Heavener Runestone Park – one of my favorite places, but there are so many in need. 

There was also a nice obit in the Enid News and Eagle for Doc Bryant – a kind soul who used his gift of music to warm the hearts of many. https://www.enidnews.com/search/?f=html&q=doc+bryant+&s=start_time&sd=desc&l=25&nsa=eedition  I never personally knew Doc, but I know his son and daughter-in-law.  After years of being a dentist he took his art to Austin and quickly became well known in the music scene there.  It is tough losing a parent at Christmas time, I know from experience.

It occurred to me how many good people there are in the world.  Every day I read the paper and watch the news and wonder how this world keeps from exploding with the trouble I see. And then I remember the kind souls who work behind the scenes collecting bicycles and playing their music and know that the good still outweighs the bad.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, or whatever you celebrate. Be kind to your neighbors, not just during the holidays but always.

We can all make a difference.