I am back from a lengthy time of not writing a commentary. I was on vacation from 10-16-01 until 10-25-01, that probably sounds like a long time but let me tell you it wasn't enough.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and left behind many leftovers due to me cooking too much as usual. Thanksgiving is a holiday that I like a lot. You get to have good food and spend time with your family and ,in my case, cook a huge meal. We had a small Thanksgiving this year, there were only four of us but it was still enjoyable. We also have a tradition that has been going on for at least 8 years that happens every Thanksgiving. After the meal has been eaten and the dishes are cleaned and put away, we all sit down and watch the Christmas cartoon "Opus and Bill's a Wish for Wings That Work". If you haven't seen this cartoon you have to look into it. It is a good family show in a sick and twisted sort of way. With the classic line "You want big wings then marry the space shuttle you shrue!" it is definitely a great cartoon.

Crystal and I put up the Christmas tree on Sunday evening before she had to head back to school. I am not a big fan of Christmas but I did have fun putting the tree up. We watched Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace while we put up the tree to not get completely in the Christmas spirit. I am not saying the Christmas spirit is a bad thing. I just don't agree completely witht the way it is portrayed today. I am not here to give a religious lecture (because I am not exactly the most religious person) but I don't like the fact that the only thing most younger people know about Christmas is that people fight for items in stores and it is time for presents. They have very little thought about the birth of Christ or the Virgin Mother Mary. It is a time to celebrate your religion and open your arms to one another. Embrace those less fortunate than yourself, help them, the only gift that should be worried about on Christmas is the gift your own generosity to those less fortunate than yourself. Give to the Bell ringers, give to Tree of Joy, give to Toys for Tots, Just give to those who need it. Once you feel the warmth inside of helping someone else you will be that much closer to what Christmas should be all about, Helping others.

I will be donating toys to Tree of Joy and Toys for Tots this year. I will be helping distribute the toys as well and I will be having a lot of fun while I am doing it. I first experienced how good it felt to give to charities and help people out when I was 17 years old. I had bought my girlfriend at the time a very expensive bracelet that contained white, yellow, and pink gold in it. She broke up with me in December before Christmas and I took the bracelet back to get my money back. I got my money and left the store. The bell ringers were out and I nearly walked by before my mind told me to stop. I stopped and looked back at the bell ringer and thought. I took out my wallet and grabbed one of the fifty dollar bills I had gotten back and dropped it in the pot. The man shook my hand and said "Thank you very much sir". It felt so good to know that my money was going to a good cause. I finished my Christmas shopping that year and gave the rest of my money from the bracelet return to the Ronald McDonald house. Since then I try to give at least thirty five dollars to the bell ringers and donate some toys. Last year I helped deliver the Tree of Joy toys and that was an even warmer feeling that came over me when I got to see the happy faces of those children. You never know how great it feels until you see it yourself. Please donate some money or toys or time to helping others this year.

I will leave you with one request. Please remember the true meaning of Christmas this year and help others. You will never feel more happy with yourself than you will after you know you have helped someone else have a wonderful Holiday.

Later,
Coopedaddy