Day 356 -- A Time of Giving

A day spent working on things for next year and baking for this year. Two trips to the store and I still managed to come home without flour. So cookies wait for tomorrow. I got the Christmas bread made and it seems to look OK. There was enough left for 5 rolls. I'm enjoying a warm one with fresh butter as I type.  It reminds me of my grandmother -- she always had fresh rolls around. Mine aren't as pretty as hers, but they are passable.

While working away today, I began to think of many people who may not have a good holiday season and those who don't celebrate one of the several available at this time of year.  People living with marginal incomes may not find the gift-giving season accessible. For many, having food for daily needs is a struggle, so a holiday feast is just out of the question. There also are others around the world that need assistance. While I fully understand the charity model is not the solution -- merely a short term band-aid -- we find ourselves without the infrastructures to help move people out of lower income situations -- globally as well as domestically. Donations to charities and food banks seem to be higher at this time of year as those of us with enough to get us through a holiday with a bit of cheer -- remember Bob Cratchit making merry? -- find it uppermost in our minds to help others.

Musicians have worked to advocate for policy change globally and for donations to help in times of extreme need. We've seen Live Aid, Farm Aid, Concert for Bangladesh, Live8, and many, many other concerts that raised funds for one global or local crisis or another. The efforts of some individual musicians have continued for decades -- Geldoff and Bono come to mind first, but there are others.  So, tonight (or today) as you read this, think of those in crisis down the block or around the world and see what you could do. It doesn't have to be donating money or even groceries. Find a church or shelter that prepares a holiday meal -- or daily meal -- for singles, low income or homeless individuals and families. Volunteer your time to help cook, serve, clean up or just have a chat with someone who is alone at the holiday. This can help us all see things through the eyes of others -- it can be a very different view of everyday activities.

Today I share three songs that came to mind first today as I pondered.  Each tells the story of a different crisis situation -- different, yet similar in so many ways. The first situation was one I worked on after the initial crisis began to subside -- that was grad school in Winnipeg with my advisor overseas. I try to bring understanding of the third  selection to many from a nutrition and health care stance. I haven't been directly involved in the second crisis, but have worked with similar epidemics. So -- while we take time during the holidays to view the world as it could be, we can begin to visualize our role in that new view. Enjoy!

Do They Know its Christmas? -- Band Aid (1984)

Do They Know its Christmas? -- Band Aid 30 (2014)

Santa I'm Right Here -- Toby Keith