After personally delivering my homemade baked treats to my neighbors with incorrect names written on them, going to the grocery store 3 times in one hour for a ridiculously simple plan for dinner and then sitting in my stairway, succumbing to sobs after visiting Nick’s room, I determined that I shouldn’t be in public. Safely snuggled in at home, I now need to determine what to write about today…

Service – giving back – is what seems to keep me going, bringing me perspective. Last week was busy. I took a couple of goodie bags up to our favorite nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute, just as I (and Nick) have done for the past four years. It didn’t occur to me that it would be difficult until I was in the parking lot. Denise (one of Nick’s fairy godmothers) was with me and it was indeed difficult (a few nurses were teary just seeing me) but I’m so glad we went.

Then I helped a neighbor with her very large “Sub for Santa” project. Contributing an outfit for a teenage girl didn’t seem like much so I also pitched in helping load two very large trailers with bags and bags of gifts and delivering them to 6 different schools. Later in the evening, the schools combined for a pizza party for the kids while the parents secretly went around in back to pick up the presents Santa will be bringing to their children Sunday morning. My neighbor’s efforts will help 176 children have a nice Christmas this year. Her sister donated 1,000 books, so each child received 3 new books. My takeaway visual was when I noticed 5 or 6 children sitting on the stage, each deeply engrossed reading their new books. They were completely mesmerized, oblivious to the surrounding chaos of cookie decorating, face painting and pizza! I’m certain my neighbor is an angel.

Speaking of visual takeaways, I have a few links I’d like to share. This first one is a TEDxSF Video done by Louie Schwartzberg on “Gratitude”.

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxSF-Louie-Schwartzberg-Grati#.Tus2fD01Sxc.facebook

The second was found on YouTube filmed in Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=XVTga6GmbGw&vq=medium#t=74

Both are well worth taking the time to watch without distractions.

My last suggestion is to visit: www.helpothers.org. I am set up to receive updates whenever there is a new posting and every single one brings me a smile. The stories of kindness around the world are inspiring. I hope you find one that resonates with you.

Merry Christmas!