Christmas Spirit

Eric came up to me last night when I was sitting at my computer and asked me if I had the Christmas Spirit. I asked him what he meant. He told me "the parents in Polar Express didn’t have the Christmas Spirit so they couldn’t hear the bell ringing."

If Eric had asked me that question a couple of weeks ago, my answer would have been different than it is today. I really love Christmas time. I love the sights, the sounds and the smells of Christmas. Yet, anymore, Christmas seems to be more work than fun. Granted, it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m the parent now, not the kid. But, I’m really tired of lists and “I wants” and the running around so that I can check things off the list. I just want my kids (and everyone else) to be happy about the Season, not the presents under the tree. So, yes … I’ve been a bit of a Scrooge the last few weeks and really not much in the Christmas Spirit. I certainly wasn’t hearing any bells ringing.

Then there was last weekend. A weekend together as a family, all of us, with no worries about what housework needed to be done (because we couldn’t go home) and no worries about work (because going into the office wasn’t an option) and no worries about how much money we were spending (because the weekend was paid for). Last weekend was all about enjoying the Season. And, enjoy we did! But, the grand finale … Jack’s new room, was the greatest gift of all. It was a gift from complete strangers who gave of their time, their talents and their hearts to make a difference in the life of a little boy. Room for Joy exemplifies the Christmas Spirit and, because of them, my Christmas Spirit has been renewed. In fact, I dare say that every time I walk into Jack’s room . . . I hear the ringing of a bell!