You know as I
get older, my Christmas list gets shorter. And with the exception of a couple
of items, I think it gets more meaningful. I look at some gifts from years past
and some of the more meaningful ones are the gold chain Emily and Hannah gave
me for my St. Andrew medal, the silver chain and pendant Kim got me for our
anniversary this past summer, the leather bracelet Hannah brought back from
Costa Rica, and the little peanut character that sits on my bookshelf with the
caption, “Nuts About My Dad” from Emily about nine years ago. There are many
others.
One of the
Christmas carols being played on radio this time of season is, Little
Drummer Boy. I have to admit that song isn’t even in my top five, but I
think the message is important.
It’s about a
little shepherd boy. Back then, they were poor folk, simple folk, probably didn’t
have much education, since in that time and place, education was reserved for
wealthier folks. According to the song, this little boy saw a Baby Jesus in a
manger with his Mother and wanted to give Him a gift. I suppose he was a little
embarrassed because he didn’t have a shirt or blanket to give. He didn’t have
anything at all, except for his drum. He asked for permission to play for the
Baby, and it was granted so he did. As best he could. And as the song goes, Mary
nodded and Baby Jesus smiled at him.
A Simple Gift. A
meaningful one at that because he gave all he could and it came from his heart.
I am continually
blown away by my staff- each of you! This month alone, my staff and students
collected 6,000+ pounds of food for an American Legion Post to help feed the
needy. Every ornament was taken off of the Angel Tree in the staff conference
room. Each ornament represented a “wish” from a student or parent for something
for Christmas. Lots of money was spent and lots of presents were purchased for
them. Yesterday, a staff member sent out an SOS because he and his wife were trying
to support a family in need. Staff responded with couches, beds, chairs,
kitchen utensils . . . you name it. And all of it in one day!
All of this done
for others. All of this done because of compassion. People care above and
beyond self.
At a recent
staff meeting, I mentioned that sometimes holidays aren’t so happy. Especially
this year, there has been so much loss: deaths of parents, of spouses, of loved
ones. Staff members battling severe health issues bravely and silently though I
am certain they are scared and worried. I am aware of one student who has brain
cancer. I am aware that another student’s father is dying of cancer and has
three months to live. And there are others. Others.
I can’t imagine
any gift that might help any one of them. I mean, one sits down to eat a
Christmas or Holiday meal and there sits an empty chair. A chair previously sat
in. The laughter and lightness of the season diminished into a cloud of worry,
of doubt, of emptiness. Of sadness. Of pain.
One can only
hope that a Simple Gift of kindness- a smile, a kind word, a hug- might let
someone know you care . . . that we care. That we are there.
So perhaps this
season, if not all seasons, each of us- you and I- can give each other (and
ourselves) The Simplest Gift. The gift of kindness, which costs absolutely
nothing. A kind word. A smile. A hug.
Because if we
don’t, it may never happen. If we don’t, that person may never know. And if we
don’t take care of ourselves, how is it possible to take care of anyone else?
So please, keep giving. Please do so. But perhaps give The Simplest Gift, like in
the manner of the Little Drummer Boy. Giving what he could, what he had to
offer to the very best of his ability and position. We can too. We should too.
Something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
To My Readers:
My fifth work of
thriller/suspense fiction Caught in a
Web will be published by Black Rose Writing in April of 2018. It is
currently in the very skilled hands of an editor I especially admire. When she
finishes, I fix what’s needed to fix and then I send it to Black Rose. The real
work of any writing takes place in the edits, something I both dread and get
excited about. I will keep you posted on the progress. I am working with Black
Rose on several publicity campaigns so when the “drop” nears, I’ll keep you
posted. There will be an opportunity for preordering Caught in a Web, so when the link becomes available, I’ll make sure
you know. Unlike my others, this one will be available in bookstores as well as
Amazon.
Good News!
I finished the
edits on Spiral Into Darkness and
I’m working to find an agent for it. It is more of a psychological thriller but
with an attitude.
Please feel free
to connect with me at:
Twitter
at @jrlewisauthor
Facebook
at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author
If you like Thriller/Suspense fiction and are
looking for something to read over the winter, check out my novels:
The Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives:
FBI Agent Pete
Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys
left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know
one another, the lives of FBI Agent Kelliher and two boys become interwoven
with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them
are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as
each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis
Stolen Lives, Book One of the Lives Trilogy:
Two
thirteen-year-old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and
his team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all
the others- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the
possibility exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis
Shattered Lives, Book Two of the Lives Trilogy:
Six desperate
and violent men escape. One of them stands in a kitchen facing a 14
year-old-boy with a gun. There are many reasons for the boy to pull the
trigger. Mainly, the man had started it all. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis
Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy:
A 14 year-old-boy is willing to make the
ultimate sacrifice. High up on an Arizona mesa, he faces three desperate and
dangerous men in hopes of saving his father and his brothers. http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis