Giving/Charity

You know, I have a good life, and always have I guess, never wanting for anything. I’ve had (to me) a successful career, I had a good marriage many years ago (which for various reasons ended), I’ve had my ups and downs with relationships since then. I’ve helped raise 3 boys over the last 12 yrs (on, off and on) who weren’t my kids, with some good results and not so good results. I confess, for many yrs I never contributed (much) to the various charities, but in the last year or two, I find myself putting $$ into the bucket outside of the store(s), or giving $$ to some girls on ??? team, at the grocery store, who want to bag my stuff, I shoo them away since I had no cash, but after paying for the groceries (with plastic), I go to the ATM near the checkout lanes, withdraw $$ and give those girls a bill or two, and same for the red bucket on the outside with those guys wishing you a happy holiday, as I leave the store Driving home today (from the grocery store), I think how Russia was just 25 yrs ago, and they always had lines of people waiting to buy a limited supply of , and I’ve now become friends with a few people from India who have moved here – Praveen, Preeti, and I wonder what they think as they shop here in our stores with sheves after shelves of , and see how different (abundant) things here are, and I wonder what it would have been like growing up there – I mean, when I was 10-15 yrs old, we only had one tv, and now we have 3 (or more!) and there are so many people (outside of america and also here in america) who do not have tv’s, iPods, or even a Barnes and noble (or cars), who are less fortunate than me or most Americans. I know I’m rambling, but I am grateful to live in this country of ours. I look at the “backwards ness” of some middle eastern countries (and russia of long ago, and N. Korea), and scratch my head. I see how poor some counties are and I wonder what can be done to help. I am not sure if I can help there, so I’m focusing on what I can do, and that means locally. Which brings me back to my recent donations to the Salvation Army, etc. If you have a spare $$ in your wallet, or have some free time, consider donating that dollar or your time, helping a (elderly or handicapped) neighbor, by shoveling their snow, going to the grocery store for them, or . I’m not trying to be on a soapbox, since I’m not one to talk, having not ever done this before, but I wish someone had somehow encouraged me to “see the light” earlier than at age 50+ —the gift we have, here in America, to HELP others who are less fortunate, than ourselves. Thanks for listening, and thanks to my all friends who have given me their support and friendship over these many, many yrs in many different ways. You have all made me the person I am today. I love all of you guys (at Unisys, from Lakeview HS, USPS, WF, etc.), Merry Christmas, and happy holidays, everyone. (Signed, Brian aka the BigB).