Old "Humbugs," and Christmas Angels

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME - IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD - AND RIGHT THROUGH THE COMMUNITY

THE COMMONPLACE OF OUR TOWN……AND IT'S A GOOD THING……..THAT WE HAVE A BATTALION OF CHARITABLE RESIDENTS

     IT HAPPENED DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR. AGAIN DURING THE YEARS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION. AND THEN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THERE WERE HUGE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, WITH CHURCH GROUPS, FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS, SERVICE CLUBS, AND THE RED CROSS, TO HELP WHERE IT WAS NEEDED; WHETHER KNITTING SOCKS, OR OTHER APPAREL, FOR THOSE OF OUR CITIZENRY FIGHTING OVERSEAS, TO THEN MAKING SURE THE SOLDIERS GOT SUBSTANTIAL GIFT PACKAGES AT CHRISTMAS……AND THAT SOLDIERS' FAMILIES HAD WHAT THEY NEEDED TO GET BY, HERE ON THE HOME-FRONT. I'VE READ ALL ABOUT THESE CITIZEN-DRIVEN OBJECTIVES, WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE GRAVENHURST OPERA HOUSE HISTORY. THE OPERA HOUSE HAS ALWAYS PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THESE OPERATIONS, AND AS A MEETING PLACE, TO ORGANIZE FUNDRAISING EVENTS……EVEN TO THIS DAY.

     WHAT ABOUT TODAY? HAVE WE LOST SOME OF OUR CHARITABLE LUSTER? ARE WE AS BENEVOLENT AS WE USED TO BE? OR DO WE HAVE THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED IN THESE INITIATIVES TO HELP OTHERS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO WE MEASURE UP TO THE GRAVENHURST OF 1914, OR 1930; 1940?

     If you purposely set out on a mission of discovery, with a couple of months free time, to dedicate to the quest, I'm willing to bet, you could find quite a few true-to-life Scrooges thriving out there…….in their own cultivated world of "Me Firsts!" You'd undoubtedly find some miserable old farts, some testy grumps, gurners, curmudgeons and trolls in human form. I know some and so do you. I'm only a part-time troll, just in case you were wondering. Point is, we are no different than thousands of other places of residence, on this big old globe; sparsely occupied by those who find nothing good about any day in particular. Curmudgeons who satisfy themselves finding fault, and directing others to fix things they break. They find reason to laugh, only at the expense of others. They like the shade of "dull," and could find fault with sunlight, and rainbows……song birds and wandering minstrels.

     Every community has a token number of bad actors. Cheapskates! Misers! It's the commonplace of any hamlet, village, town or city; the numbers being proportional to size of course. It would upset the moral balance of the universe, without their incessant drag of grumbling, whining, and greedy encumbrances, they place unceremoniously on the rest of us. After all, there is no law, that requires our citizenry to conform with happiness and contentment, in our daily living. We have no requirement to be pleasant or crack a smile. It is not illegal or a violation of a municipal bylaw, to be impolite, or angry, and being stoned-face in the midst of comedy, is a personal choice. Having that constipation of nastiness, is quite acceptable in the free world. You don't have to change on account of us…….who without thinking about it, smile and chortle at the slightest bit of good humor wrestled out of a typical day.

     The light-hearted amongst us, find their behavior anti-social. But it's just our opinion. There is nothing an adjudicator could pass, as judgement, that would force any willing Scrooge, to wish anyone else a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." For the occasional Grinch we encounter, well, Dr. Seuss had a happy ending in the book……but then, the Grinches I know refuse to read…..in case they might get inadvertently inspired to congeniality. Some folks are content with their self imposed misery. Others, of course, can't separate from their moods, as we might expect them to, when roused with Christmas cheer. There are those who suffer from deep depression at this time of year, of which they have found no escape. There are those however, who are moved from doldrums, by the spirit of the season, and find that working to better the lives of others, is the solution to the seasonal blues.

     What great wonders and achievement can be gained by acts of true benevolence. How possible it is, to rekindle the weary soul, by bestowing acts of kindness on those in great need. How utterly heart warming to see a smile and hear a sincere "thank you," in return. There's nothing quite as comforting to a soul in turmoil, as to receive a hale and hearty greeting from another…..and feel the strong pulse from a firm handshake, in the bond and security of neighborliness.

AROUND OUR TOWN AT CHRISTMAS - A JOY TO BEHOLD

     All around our little town, during this festive season of the year, there are charitable, joy-spreading citizens, participating in one or a dozen initiatives, to help the less fortunate; to bring those without means, some material comfort……warm clothing, provisions for a festive Christmas dinner, and extended friendship, as neighbors helping neighbors. We don't always see this charity in its stages of manifestation, in the homes and businesses of the community, where folks band together to work on solutions to our problems. It is out there, growing with full vigor, and it will assist many individuals and families in crisis this year. But it works best out of the limelight. It's success has nothing to do with publicity or recognition. Many benefactors and volunteers, wish to remain anonymous, as it is their joy to assist others…..as they would hope to receive, if they were amongst those in need themselves. The plan is to make "Merry Christmas," a reality for every constituent, young and old. Even those who insist on being grumpy and standoffish, are included on Santa's goodwill list; regardless of their opinions to the contrary. "Humbug," they might say. But there are documented cases, each year, of an "Old Humbug," or two, being converted to good will, good cheer, good tidings.

     From early on in our residency, in this fine Town of Gravenhurst, we have always been impressed, year after year, knowing about (and contributing to), the many benevolent acts; hundreds of different charitable programs and initiatives each year, especially during the celebration of the Christmas season. There are kind and dedicated citizens who gather in groups to knit for charity…..mitts and toques for those most in need of basic winter-wear. There are those who are hobby toy-makers, using their woodworking skills to make trucks and trains for youngsters, who would otherwise receive very little beneath the Christmas tree. There are others who stand for hours, helping the Salvation Army kettle campaign, all around town, and still others who work tirelessly to raise donations and collect canned goods, to stock the shelves of the local food bank. There are kind souls who give generously of themselves, to organize toy drives and large scale fundraising events, all to help the less fortunate. Many perform these acts of charity in their workplaces. Business owners, and corporate sponsors, who, year after year, help raise money for all kinds of charitable purposes. The media outlets all participate so generously, to help spread "Merry Christmas," throughout our snowy neighborhoods. It's enough to make an old grump well-up with tears. There are wonderful, caring neighbors, who routinely look in others, such as seniors, and those with physical disadvantages, who need regular assistance……and who extend Christmas cheer from household to household, in the spirited tradition of hometown commonplace. It's just what we do!

     For every Grinch and Scrooge, there are a hundred angels, walking the earth amongst us, genuinely concerned about mankind's well-being. Folks who may have little financial wiggle room, to offer much more than volunteer time…..who show up time and again when the need is most keenly felt. Gravenhurst is a community overflowing with thoughtfulness and charitable intentions. It's what I appreciate most, living and working here. It's what our family has found for long and long, being in its warm, inspiring embrace. Local residents have been coming together throughout the town's history, and not just at Christmas……to fight adversity with the full weight of compassion yet resolve….to, as they say, "never surrender."

     "It is a beautiful arrangement, also, derived from days of yore, that this festival, which commemorates the announcement of the religion of peace and love, and has been made the season for gathering together of family connections, and drawing closer again those bands of kindred hearts, which the cares and pleasures and sorrows of the world, are continually operating to cast loose, of calling back the children of a family, who have launched forth in life, and wandered widely asunder, once more to assemble about the paternal hearth, that rallying-place of the affections, there to grow young and loving again among the endearing mementoes of childhood," wrote author Washington Irving, about Christmas, in his famous "Sketch Book."

     "There is something in the very season of the year, that gives a charm to the festivity of Christmas," wrote Irving. "Our thoughts are more concentrated; our friendly sympathies more aroused. We feel more sensibly the charm of each other's society, and are brought more closely together by dependence on each other for enjoyment. Heart calleth unto heart, and we draw our pleasures from the deep wells of loving-kindness which lie in the quiet recesses of our bosoms; and which resorted to, furnish forth the pure element of domestic felicity."

     I hope your Christmas preparations are going well. Take the time to enjoy the ambience of a Muskoka winter, and the many seasonal activities going on around our town. Let's do our best, to help the Scrooges, Grinches, and perpetual grumblers, have a good Christmas season as well. Maybe kindness will change their opinions about "humbug" and such. Thanks for visiting this humble hearthside blog, in support of all the kind and charitable volunteers in Gravenhurst, who make the Christmas season so warm and inspiring for all of us. It's true what Dorothy said, in the "Wizard of Oz!" "There's no place like home!" See you again soon. There will always be a home fire burning, to settle beside, for a wee respite after a long travel.