Please allow a shameless plug as the Parish Life Chair; should any of you be in D.C. and come to St. Thomas', I would be delighted if you would like to help with the reception following the service.  A message will go out shortly inviting all that attend to bring an hors d'oeuvre.  Tim Mahoney has graciously agreed to coordinate but would love additional help.

And so as we have in years past Andy and I will cook a nice meal, put on those old Clay-mation Christmas show, and open gifts.  Only to have to pack suitcases and fly home.

Work has been a bear, December hectic, and I have to spend another year away from Andy and St. Thomas'.

So where do I go with all of my hum bug-ness?  I am fortunate that I can look back to a special Christmas of sorts that helps to keep me grounded and keep everything in perspective.  It was the August of 2006.  I was fortunate enough to be able to have taken a sabbatical and was in New Orleans for two weeks.

On one of the days that I was there, the Church where I was spending my time sent me out on the Loaves and Fishes truck.  Each day members of the parish would volunteer and make sandwiches and this very cool truck was outfitted much like the sidewalk venders and they gave out food.  Originally the idea was to make food for the city's homeless and then ride around New Orleans and give out food to those living on the streets.  After Hurricane Katrina, the homeless were well themselves or at least their neighbors.

So out we went into the lower ninth and met other volunteers serving the survivors in various ways and there we were giving out sandwiches and lemonade, water and chips to anyone that needed it including the city workers that showed up.  

Now like my mother I cry at commercials and particularly every Sunday evening while watching Extreme Makeover Home edition, so forgive me if I get a little misty.

So a family walks up and this little African American boy is with his mom and they get a couple of sandwich bags.  And on the other side of the Loaves and Fishes Truck are toys and teddy bears that people have sent the Church, and the little boy chose a cute little teddy bear and was so happy and proud.  He walked all over showing it off like he was holding Simba in the Lion King.  I finally had to stop watching him and go off to the other side of the parking lot to collect myself.