What a wonderful season!

This is the time of year in which, even for a few weeks, the whole world seems to pause to take a rest from the "crazy days". In this time, people everywhere practice a feeling so good, we wish it could last all year. What makes the feeling so special? Juan knows.

Juan is a four year-old boy who lives in "The Barrio"; the poorest part of San Antonio, Texas. One night, a strange car appeared in the neighborhood. There was a man inside, and the car was filled with boxes. Juan watched as the man, dressed in a red suit trimmed in white fur, carried a box to the door of a nearby family. When the family answered the door, the man gave them the box. It was filled with fruit, food, and candies.

Juan followed the strange man from house to house. Each family was given a box. For those families with children, each child was given a present. How happy they were! The man continued until all the boxes and gifts were given away. There were not enough boxes for all the families in "The Barrio"; no one stopped at Juan's house.

His work completed, the man began walking back to his car. Juan had an idea. He ran home as fast as he could, and found an empty box. He put four toys inside. They were his only toys. He ran to catch the man. Juan handed the box to him. The man looked at the box, and he looked at Juan. "You're giving these away?" "Yes", said Juan, "I don't need them. Now, more children can smile!" The big man looked at the little boy. The man had tears in his eyes. "Thank you", he said. The man put the box in the car, and drove away. Juan turned and walked back to his house. He had no money and he had no toys, but that did not matter. That special night, Juan was the happiest boy in the world.

As we pause to celebrate this season, each in our own way, we send the wish of long ago: Peace on Earth; goodwill to all.

Happy Holidays,
Brad in Texas