I Was An Elf....

...on Saturday, volunteering to do whatever I was told to do to help get toys ready to distribute to kids in need.  It was a wonderful, busy, lovely day, filled with elves of all ages who also came to volunteer.  I was really touched by how many folks there were, eager to do whatever needed to be done, and also struck by the number of young kids helping -- teenagers and 20-somethings.  So great to see the volunteer spirit early in a person's life.  I don't remember that being something we were encouraged to do growing up, but then with four kids in a big house with a big front and back yard, there were lots of chores and things to do around the house to help out Mom and Dad.  But considering Saturday was a week before Christmas, and I'm sure the shopping madness doesn't stop until Christmas Eve, I was so impressed with all of the good souls out, sorting gifts, wrapping them, loading them on trucks.  It really made my heart sing.

Two girls I met, one 13, one 14, told me that they had a lot of businesses that they either do together or are friendly rivals in, this time of year being the gift wrapping business.  They were utterly delightful, and between them, they said they had 30 or so businesses.  I gave them a huge BRAVO for being so enterprising!  Future businesswomen and movers and shakers of America!  Another woman I met helps out tutoring the kids that we were volunteering for.  A lovely young woman with no children of her own with a passion for reading and helping others.  The wonderful woman that I ended up sorting hats and gloves with is just out of college, working at a law firm, saving up money to go to law school, and she just HAD to volunteer for something because she felt the need to do so.  For many I spoke with, this was their first time doing this.  Others, like me, joined a volunteer matchup and this was one of the locations that they could get to.

Though I don't celebrate Christmas, I have to say that this really put me in the Christmas spirit -- THIS is what Christmas, and, indeed, life is all about:  helping to make the world a better place.

I hope this finds you having a gloriously beautiful day, and if you're in a clime like I am, staying WARM!