December 22nd 2009 Home for the Holidays!
At Christmas all roads lead home. ~Marjorie Holmes
Let me paint a picture…………
It’s December 24th, 4pm. The dinner table is set, delectable aromas float from the kitchen and the tree is filled with twinkling lights. Guests begin to arrive, hugs and kisses are intermingle with the pass off of heavenly dishes and stacks of gifts. Grandma yells ‘No running!’ as children weave through the crowd with cheeks rosy red, filled with excitement and anticipation. The snow is beginning to fall, its going to be a white Christmas…….Grandpa laughs and belts out a “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…. where the tree tops glisten & children listen……..” just as one of the babes run into his knee.
Then there is this picture on the other side of the world……….
It’s December 25th 4pm, a solider walks the streets of Iraq, his holiday meal was acceptable but not Mama’s roast and potatoes. He greets a young child with a kind smile and a small gift …….. he misses his own children. His body aches, and his feet are sore. A sigh, and with a chuckle he says “Aw, what I’d do to stretch out on the sofa and watch ‘Elf‘ with the kids!” Back to the base he goes as the sun sets, fully knowing his family is just staring their holiday celebration. He wonders if his wife is wearing his favorite red sweater, is his Uncle Dave having his annual playful argument with Aunt Sue? Did his brother ask his girlfriend to marry him? …………. 
So many families are missing a loved one this Holiday season. Two years ago I sat across an empty place setting at the dinner table. I wondered how my Cousin Mike, a Chief in Navy Reserves was enjoying his holiday meal. Joe and I did the best we could to make Mike’s three kids and terrific wife have a great holiday. It was the least we could do for Mike, he like many were giving so much……….Still we couldn’t replace him.
There is a very special gift arriving tonight and tomorrow morning here in Connecticut! No Santa won’t be sliding down the chimney with this one, there is no way the recipients will want to wait till Christmas morning. You see, this gift is the Connecticut National Guard (specifically 250th Engineer Co. & 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry). I am proud to share with you that my partner Ed & I, along with Suzi Craig of Fathom, CT Tweet Crawl and the Hartford Restaurant Group raised over $14,000.00 towards the Home for the Holidays effort. Tomorrow morning we along with many others will welcome these guys and gals home.
Next time you pass a soldier at the mall, grocery store, or walking the streets of your home town ………… stop him or her and thank them for their service. They give so much, give them the gift of thanks………….
Here’s a touching tribute to our service men & women. Enjoy! Soldier’s Silent Night
