The holidays are a spiritual time. A time when hopefully, we care more about our fellow man. THAT is what it has always been for me.

I’ve never had the means to do anything huge. But I always put what I can in the bell ringers tin. Give an extra smile or a friendly greeting to someone who looks distressed. A wish for a happy holiday.

This holiday season is simply a harsher one. The economy is incredibly hard on everyday, average people this year. It’s hard to buy gifts for children (because they don’t and shouldn’t have to understand adult problems during christmas) when their is struggle just to feed them. My heart hurts for all the regular families that just can’t figure out how to do it.

I’m so sorry that the struggle is so rough this year. As parents and even just partners or spouses, we can’t show a holiday gift of love to those we hold dear. Just an ‘I love you and I’m so glad you are in my life’. Yes we can just say it and should. But it isn’t too much to want to enjoy the holiday giving season, like others who can without worry.

So yea my heart hurts for those families. My message to those parents who cant….just give your children all the love you can and help them to understand that this is the season of love. Gifts are material and don’t last a lifetime. But their memories and your love WILL. You aren’t failures as parents because you can’t afford Christmas gifts. You are wealthy in the love, care and joy you give to you children. God bless your holidays.