I drove past the food bank today. The parking lot was full. There didn't seem to be any shame or embarrassment on the faces of the people (375,000 every month in Ontario) going in with rumbling stomachs or coming out carrying big boxes. Their faces looked stoic and steadfast and sure, yet I imagined that their hearts had lost all hope of normalcy at this time of year. They had accepted the fact that they needed to use this service. But what about the gifts? What about the appetizers and liquor and their ChateauOnlineTuesday, 1 December 2009
Modern Day Scrooge Chapter 1
I drove past the food bank today. The parking lot was full. There didn't seem to be any shame or embarrassment on the faces of the people (375,000 every month in Ontario) going in with rumbling stomachs or coming out carrying big boxes. Their faces looked stoic and steadfast and sure, yet I imagined that their hearts had lost all hope of normalcy at this time of year. They had accepted the fact that they needed to use this service. But what about the gifts? What about the appetizers and liquor and their ChateauOnline
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4 comments:
Well Patti,
I share your feelings of distaste.
This is a touchy subject in the blogosphere though.
When I blogged my dislike of Christmas last year, absolutely no-one agreed with me, including family members, who think I'm just being miserable !
What can ya do ?
Mark 14:7 "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me."
Patti - your concern is laudable, but by your reasoning, should we not eat because there are hungry? Should we not live in houses because there are homeless? There will always be the poor, and not exchanging gifts will not help. Obviously, making donations, volunteering and the like help. Shopping actually helps - shop owners have families to feed, artists sell their goods not for fun but to pay the bills. How many of those folks at the food bank are there because their products aren't selling, or their small trucking business has gone out because other small businesses weren't using them. As a designer, when I'm hired, I am bringing along with me the services of seamstresses, upholsterers, plumbers, electricians or carpenters. Real people with real bills. Luxury spending supports real life working class people. Gifts exchanged between friends and family are tokens of love. The magi brought gifts to the Baby Jesus - why? There were poor people then certainly. Just my thoughts. Keep the thought provoking posts coming.
Jan Hugs
Linda, You are the calm inside every storm.
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