To the helpers

Would you look at that rain smock Santa’s donned–he must have braved many a downpour in 1972.

Oh wait, that’s not Santa . . . that’s my mum . . . holding my cousin Haley. Her impersonation is so spot on I nearly didn’t recognize her.

Speaking of which, my mom received a letter in the mail yesterday, from a few of Santa’s helpers. They spoke of sneaking in a late night snack from the Stinker Station when they spotted Santa, disheveled and more than a bit ruffled, leaning against the Slurpee machine. They wandered over and asked what might be troubling the usually cheery fellow. Time, it would seem.  He simply hadn’t the time to deliver all the gifts he’d like. But suddenly, just as it seemed he might be losing all hope, a smile teased his lips. He realized, you see, the people before him knew my mum–one of the very people on his list! He explained how he knew she’s not seen her grandson for two years–two years! {Santa knows everything, you know} And while he’d be more than willing to take her in his sleigh, it’s against regulation. So it was, Santa’s helpers volunteered to send a check–one that will just about cover a plane ticket to Sweden.

My mom read the letter and cried. She read the letter aloud, to me, and I cried. {And the angels sang, There they go again . . .}

There were no names listed, no return address. Just Santa’s helpers: people who gave a considerable amount of money, at a time when money tends to be scarce; people who took time during the busiest time of year to write a story–a story, with marvelous detail—with which to accompany a gift that can never be repaid. 

Last week we saw the worst of humanity. It’s not even an isolated incident. Though we may not know the names, we may not see the faces, unimaginable travesties take place day after day, the whole world through. Yet if you look, for every act of misery, there are more acts of kindness.

Mister Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers–so many caring people in this world.”

You have only to look to see it’s true. There always seem to be people who truly care, people who give–selflessly, not in a big, flashy manner, not for fame or fanfare–simply to meet a need, to lift a burden, to offer a bit of cheer. Like stars in the night sky, they go about quietly spreading light in the darkness. They’re Santa’s helpers; they’re God’s helpers; they are our helpers.

So as our weekend marches right into the Christmas holiday, I pray you’ll be surrounded by those you love most; I pray you’ll make memories to bring a smile to your face years down the road; I pray you’ll happen upon a ‘helper,’ be one yourself–maybe even a little of both–and your Christmas will be all the brighter because of it.

May the coming days be Merry & Bright, indeed!