Thanksgiving marks the beginning of our holiday season. Each year we take time to express our thankfulness for our many blessings. Then comes Christmas and Hanukkah, wonderful times of religious celebration, but this year a pandemic has changed this most wonderful time of the year. We may have decided that it is too dangerous for family gatherings. Hopefully you are healthy and your family is as well, but many of us may have to dig deeply to find the positives of the season.The virus has shown no respect for human boundaries attacking without regard to the circumstance of victims. There are differences of opinion concerning how we respond with some showing total deference to the medical community while others do not.
Unfortunately, respect for the virus has become a political issue. Then, there are the job losses that have come from our attempts to reduce the exposure of citizens. Unemployment in Colorado shot up as high as twelve percent. Our state is experiencing economic difficulty because of the cost of unemployment benefits. I am not trying to depress you, but I want to mention all the sources of our tough times. Fear, serious illness, financial distress, political divisiveness, and separation from family are all making us less than happy. Have I convinced you that things could not get much worse?
Well, there is cause for thanksgiving. A vaccine has been developed and approved. A massive distribution plan is about to be implemented. The plan will most probably not work perfectly, but I believe it will get the job done. I have said to myself “don’t do stupid, the cavalry is on the way.” Beyond this, I have been focusing on all the things I miss most. I miss meeting personally with members of my Rotary club. I miss the ability to attend a Rockies game, the ability to enjoy a packed bar or restaurant, hanging out with my sons and my grandkids. I am trying to use the thoughts about how much these things are missed to imagine just how wonderful it will be when I can experience them again. I try to visualize the intense joy each of these activities will bring when they can be resumed. How much joy these simple pleasures will bring proves the old adage that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. The truth is you knew what you had, you just thought you would never lose it.
Perhaps we can best process all this by focusing not on our own situation, but on someone else... someone who needs our help. The 59 Rotary clubs In the Denver area district were feeling sorry for themselves for their inability to do what they usually do. It was suggested that each come up with a special project during the first week in December. They knew that focusing on helping others is the best work they could undertake, and that it would lift their spirits.
The clubs focused on what they could accomplish rather than the barriers they had to overcome. My club, Mountain Foothills Rotary, decided to organize a food drive for EChO. The number of those counting on food from EChO has grown by 40%. Currently, 672 families are having to depend on the EChO helping hand, many for the first time. Traditionally during the holidays the citizens do keep the shelves at the food bank full, but after the holidays, the need continues, but the inventory often dwindles.
If you want to be part of this helping hand, bring nonperishable items to 32186 Castle Court Suite 110 (north side door) between 9AM and 4PM Monday through Friday. We will make sure your donations are safely delivered to EChO. Perfect items would include canned meats, soup, pasta, veggies, chili, coffee, tea…non perishables please…..The winter is always a challenge and the current need is great.
Let’s fill EChO’s pantry. It will be a great way to help someone who needs a hand and it just might get us into the spirit of the holiday season