Sometimes a smile lights up a person’s day. Sometimes a kind remark or gesture has the same effect.
What happens when there is a huge outpouring of goodwill, as has been witnessed recently by Barrhead Family and Community Support Services?
What happens when groups and individuals make donations to Santa’s Toy Box to ensure scores of children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning?
What happens when more than 200 people receive Christmas hampers packed with festive food and goodies?
One can only imagine the joy such goodwill brings, the tears that flow from such generosity.
To FCSS staff, the big heart of Barrhead is a constant wonder, no matter how long they have been in the town.
It is this giving spirit that makes Barrhead so special and never is it more visible than over Christmas.
Occasionally some global event will crash into our collective consciousness and give us even greater cause to embrace our little community and say: “I’m so glad I live here.”
The recent tragedy in Newtown, CT will have touched many like this. Of course, none of us can know why a 20-year-old committed such acts.
And so what we are left with is another example of human frailty – a condition we know so well, but try to forget, until we listen to the news.
Against a backdrop of such horror, it appears a blessing indeed to live in Barrhead, a blessing that none of us should ever take for granted.
With Christmas here again, let us praise and gives thanks to the individuals and organizations that want to make a positive difference.
Many are volunteers, many are paid professionals, all find reward in selflessness. So let us give thanks to:
The FCSS, an organization that embodies the spirit of fellowship and volunteerism, making so many dreams come true; Barrhead Public Library, that is a thriving artistic hub in the town and a place our seniors and children feel equally at home; the RCMP, fire and ambulance crews whose work is stressful in ways most of us cannot comprehend.
Let us give thanks to doctors and nurses who are there when we need them; the Public Works staff who clear snow from our roads; our school principals, teachers and education administrators, who measure their success by the achievements of our students.
Let us give thanks to every parent who takes on the greatest responsibility of all. Some will be nurturing our future leaders – councillors, educators, doctors, business owners and pastors.
As we celebrate Christmas, we should praise and give thanks to the wonderful people who make this community what it is. We should also ask ourselves: What did I do today to make a difference?
As we said, sometimes it only takes a smile or a kind remark.
Merry Christmas everyone.
