In the spirit of Christmas

I love watching people. When in public we all demonstrate by our actions and conduct what we want those around nearby to think of us. Note for instance how those who have chosen to tattoo their bodies wear clothing to best show off their awesome designs. Even in the coldest weather men wear shorts to boast of the designs on their legs. Thin straps on shirts show off the designs on upper arms, shoulders and more. It is not my bag yet I chuckle to note the guys and gals taking pride in their body art.

In years past it was very unusual to see a man pushing a grocery cart. All men preferred to carry the items selected in their arms and occasionally in a basket. Rarely did men even push the cart when shopping with their wives and never did it happen with men of Mexican heritage. It seemed to be a macho thing. Then came the big box grocery stores, supermarkets, and things have really changed. Seeing men shopping for groceries and pushing a cart by themselves or with their lady is now as common as can be but think back as to how it used to be.

Saturday in our seasonable cold weather a granddaughter and I volunteered to ring the bell alongside the Salvation Army collection bucket at our local Big Box grocery and variety store. Dressed in our red aprons with bells in hand it was a wonderful opportunity to observe our fellow man. Those who intended to give to the good cause would have their billfold out and be selecting the bills to selflessly slide into the collection bucket. The same for those who gave pocket change. Most had a tolerant smile on their faces. I slid the tri-pod out into the path of traffic to make our location even more obvious as our bells tinkled rather than ring loudly. Those who didn’t intend to give would veer well away and never make eye contact with we professional beggars.

For those people that I know in this community who happened by I would greet by name and a big grin—mostly hidden behind a dumb mask. Some would visit a bit and smile as they slipped the change into the bucket and I expressed thanks for their generosity. Sure I watched what was given and was impressed that one gentleman pushed two $5 bills into the slot. Another older gent walking with a halting gait told me, as I thanked him for giving to a good cause, that “It is for those unlike you or me who really need the help”. Now that is the spirit of Christmas. Christ would be proud!

The hour seemed to run a bit long in the cold weather and my California born eleven-year-old granddaughter was as usual unprepared with no gloves. Still she soldiered on even though I offered to give her money to go inside and buy a pair. A true trooper she stayed on her bell-ringing post. I tickled that my scheduled replacement had double-booked herself but prevailed upon Tracy her teacher daughter to fill in for the volunteer hour. Two wonderful ladies doing good things for this community that we all love.

Yes I too have been annoyed a bit and reluctant at times to give to bell ringers blocking my way into the store to buy something really important I’m sure. I too have set my sight straight ahead and passed those volunteers by. I found it a lesson in humility to for once be on the other side of this bit of American tradition. It is the McCook Ministerial Association that sponsors the good cause in this area. Yes they do use the donated funds to assist local persons in real need plus forward a major portion of the funds to that wonderful selfless Christian organization that we know as the Salvation Army. Rest assured that none of us, the volunteers, the Association nor the Army, skim off a percentage of the funds given for “administration”. It all goes to a good cause and that is the relief of “those unlike you or me who really need the help.”

For sure Grannie Annie and this old guy will be close to the front of the line to get the COVID-19 shots when it gets to be our turn. The lifesaving “Trunk” vaccine. It appears that the priorities will be correct giving shots for healthcare workers who are truly on the front line of the battle against the disease, then those in nursing homes and on to healthy old folks like us that have other health problems. Then the race to inoculate will get interesting until all those who volunteer to take the shots have been brought to immunity. I’d volunteer to have the politicians last in line; not the local ones but the ones in Washington D.C. that we don’t much care for.

What then will be the plan? Masks or no masks required, social distancing, lock-downs, social distancing, testing and all the other inconveniences that we are encouraged to practice at present. It will be interesting to watch.

On a happy note, Grannie Annie and this old guy feel that we have “arrived”. The doorbell rang to reveal a group of our church youth gathered in the cold to sing us a pair of Christmas Carols. In our younger days, we too enjoyed caroling for our “older” friends and now it is an honor to be on the receiving end. We are blessed in so many ways and want to share the spirit of the season with all you dear readers. God is good.

That is how I saw it.

Dick Trail