CHRISTMAS BANNED IN BOSTON

Image by Stéfan via FlickrGOOGLE
I was at a friends house a little while ago and they had Channel 524 on Comcast, Traditional Holiday Music. It's actually nice to hear the music in the background, but they have different, dated, memories, and facts about Christmas all over the world from different centuries. I was shocked to learn that Christmas was banned in Boston in 1659-1681. It stood as a law for 22 years. I can't imagine no Christmas, and being a resident of Boston, really hits home. No Christmas when I was growing up would have been unbelievable. Those are the most precious holiday memories to me. I was very young and believed in Santa Claus, and I lived to go to (Jordan Marsh) Macy's in Boston every year to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas. We always got a gift, and I remember how hard it was not to open it on the train ride home.
In my neighborhood this year, we are reviving that tradition. We have all ordered extra special Christmas lighting and gifts for all the kids, and we have the perfect Santa. Our Friend Joe is the man for the job. His lights are already up and his village is booming with Santa, snowmen, reindeer, and every other traditional lawn ornament to get the children in the spirit. Nothing will be turned on until Thanksgiving evening but we will all be ready. A neighborhood of lights and Christmas Spirit. I can't imagine the mind set that came up with the idea to ban Christmas, or anything else that gives our children so much joy and fills the hearts of all with peace and goodwill. But, according to this blog I found, it is true...
Well, not in my neighborhood, this year, because we won't let that happen. The lights are up and we are just waiting to cue the music for the magic to happen.
We should all make this a year to remember. We have a new Presidency and a new new mind set across the country, and possibly the world, so our hearts should render that feeling to whatever extreme makes our children laugh and our neighbors smile. It has been a long time since this country was happy. But I think that my neighbor Joe will be changing that around here this year.

GRATITUDE COMES FIRST BUT ALSO LAST!

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When I was first diagnosed with Agoraphobia, (fear of open spaces) and unable to work, I was able to receive food from my local food bank. My friend was in a similar situation, and we vowed to pay back when things turned around for us. Well, they have not, in the sense that we have a lot of money to provide the services our community is missing. What I noticed was, because I live on the town line, the town to my right was a higher income town and their food bank barrel was filled every time I shopped there, but my own town it is scarce every time. I don't think the people in my town realize how great the need is for this service. Their are a lot of seniors here living off very meager pensions, and still having to pay for their own prescriptions. The food they are able to receive from this bank is the difference, for them, between medication and going without food. I am not doing great but I am hoping when I do the craft fair at the end of this month, I will have extra funds to donate and I will set up a sign and ask for donations from the townspeople that come to the fair. Paying back is a crucial part of gratitude. Gratitude always comes first, but it also comes last. I am making Gratitude Rocks that I will give out at the fair and if people are willing to donate to feed hunger, then that will be a wonderful day for me, and for the members of my community.
I wanted to let you know that THIS IS A is Hunger Action Month! It is a great time for all of us to get involved in the fight against hunger in America. I urge you to visit the Hunger Action Center and help Feeding America make a difference for every American who is food insecure. There are many ways you can get involved, please join us today!