Where did the summer go? Heck, where did the fall go?
In the last few months we’ve given thanks, we’ve been spooked and we’ve remembered those who’ve served and as we complete one more cycle around the sun and head into the end of the calendar year, let us be kind, generous and approach all our interactions with our fellow humans in a spirit of brotherhood and community.
‘Tis the season, as they say.
It shouldn’t be hard for the people of the Westlock region as there will be plenty of opportunities with no shortage of events to showcase our kindness, generosity and spirit of brotherhood, with this week being Light-Up, which will culminate next Friday with a parade and family dance, including hay rides.
There’s not much more wholesome than that.
If you were at the Rotary Spirit Centre to skate with Santa last Sunday, you saw a scene right out of the movies — a packed arena with little kids, learning to skate, falling on their butts, young couples smiling and holding hands and families having some good, wholesome fun enjoying their time together and with their community.
We’re all spinning on a space rock at 1,000 m.p.h., which is circling the sun at 67,000 m.p.h., in a solar system that is itself travelling around the centre of the galaxy at 490,000 m.p.h..
That’s hard to fathom or even care about when we’re all being adults and taking care of our own, but we’re all in this together. Consider donating to the food bank through the Firefighter in the Sky campaign. They’re also collecting cash and coats and clothing to give away to those who need them, through Coats for Kids.
Maybe make a donation to the Westlock Health Care Centre instead and put your decoration on the Tree of Hope. It will go towards purchasing new equipment for the maternity ward that will make life easier for both mothers and babies.
That’s just two, there are a few dozen others.
Maybe consider donating your bottles to Westlock’s young advocate for the homeless, Masen Scarnati, for his next round of blessing bags for the homeless in Edmonton.
For all of our differences, which, at times may seem insurmountable, the fact is we are 99 per cent the same. We are all together in this journey through space. Our planet is small, but our world doesn’t have to be.
