I am trying not to be a Scrooge.

Well Christmas time is here. But according to all the stores around us, it has been here since August. I am to the point of hating Christmas, not the true meaning, but the meaning that society has given it. I make a point now to do most of my Christmas shopping online, and yes, I typically wait until December. I really do not care for risking my life on Black Friday to get the best deals. The biggest gift we did purchase, I did in October, only because of this "move" that still has yet to happen.
But to me, the true meaning of Christmas gets more lost every year. This is so depressing for me. The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus Christ's birth. We are to share this with our families. We are to come together as families to celebrate this. This is when people are to be the nicest and giving (why can't that be year round?!) Anyways, let me share a story that happened to me. On November 29, this year..a couple of weeks ago, the kids and I had driven back into Fayetteville after our long journey from Texas. We had to seperate from David in Fort Jackson, SC, so I was all ready down from that. I knew we had no milk or eggs in the house, so we stop at the IGA that was on the way home. It was around 9:30 pm. They closed at 10 pm, so we rushed in. Sadie, our cat who loves to travel was in the van sleeping. I of course locked the doors, and we were on our way. As we checked out, I realized that I locked the keys in the van (again!!!) We all go back to the van with our groceries, and try to see if we could get in. The kids and I did not have our coats on, and I am sure it was around 40 degrees at the time. So the kids and I go back inside. I was trying to figure out what to do. I knew a locksmith would cost a fortune, and I knew that I have unlocked my van before with a wire hanger. It was around 10 at this time. I asked one of the employees if there was a wire hanger I could use. He went to get me one, and we both went outside to try to unlock my car. Of course, it did not work. He called his security team for IGA, and they could not help. I let him know that my cat was in there. He remembered that the Fire Department would open cars up in the summer if an animal was inside. He called them for me. While we were waiting for them (only took them 10 minutes to get there) he stayed with us. This is someone who was off, and had his own family, but he stayed to make sure that we were able to get in our van. He stayed with my kids while I was signing papers for the Fire Department, and as soon as my van was open, he brought my kids and our groceries to the van. I told him that I wish I had something to give him, but he said that there was no need to. The kids and I were soon on our way.
This man, who did not know us, truely showed me what it was to have the Christmas spirit. Here in Fayetteville, I don't see that alot. But he took time to make sure my family was okay. That has made my season, just that simple act of charity.

As for other things... We will be heading up to West Virginia for Christmas. It will be full of family, but all of us are poor. I really hoping for a Charlie Brown Christmas. I am excited to see my parents, who have suffered so much this year. I hope that in some way, we can make their season brighter.

So all and all, I will try not to be a Scrooge this year.