Wed, Dec 13th - 10:54AM

Can you spare a minute?

Hello, this is editor. Something happened yesterday and today that I felt was worth repeating.

I was very alarmed to receive an email in French from a site I have used for the past few years. I am a smilie addict and this was a free service that I have utilized and took for granted, albeit very grateful, but without words of gratitude to the owner. To read the message I used the Babel translator and sadly read this message:

Good evening, I inform you that I made the decision to close the access to the Smiliz Generators. After several years of development, I wish to pass to another thing. Cordially Dom' S I translated from English to French and sent Dom a message of gratitude and encouragement as well as a financial offer of support. Guess what? Over 4000 people responded to him in a 24 hour period. I know that is exactly what he needed because he then sent this email announcement.

Hello, In front of the number impressing of received emails (more than 4000), I became aware that I penalized 95% of the users for approximately 5% of abruti(e)s. Consequently, the access to the site again will be possible. Please excuse me for this interruption, I thought of having taken the best decision. I was wrong. Cordially Dom' S PS: Thank you to grant a little time to me, I have some important family concern. Dom

My point being, you never know what someone is going through and why they reacted the way they did. You might need over 4000 emails to convince you that you are loved and reverse your decision. Or, more than likely, on gentle smile, one kind word of encouragement, one soft touch on the hand, one prayer offered as I did---any form of reaching out, just well make someone's day and change their course of life. Why don't you try it and let me know how you reached out to someone today.

Tue, Dec 12th - 5:47AM

Have a politically correct holiday?

Hello, this is editor. I was reminiscing this morning with dh about childhood memories when a Christmas was exactly that--a Merry Christmas. It was nice to talk about our celebrations of Christmas as a child even if my parents and his were not Christians. They saw to it that we were caught up in the celebration and both of us were actually allowed to attend Church activities through a neighbor or two who was kind enough to care for our tender souls. Now, it is called Happy Holidays, lest we discriminate against those who are anti-Christ. Well, I shuck all the new and even old and I always make sure I say to others throughout this season, Have a blessed Christmas. I haven't received a dressing down for it yet in the last decade or so. I guess I am more blessed than I realize because people just accept me as I am, a Christian who never waivers, yet attuned to differences others have. My point is if I haven't already lost you is , what is the purpose of doctoring up Christ, removing the nativity scenes, blotting out Christmas hymns, making sure that Santa is honored, but taking Christ out of Christmas. Had He not been born, we would have never selected this day to commemorate His birthday. I do not grow weary in trying to please all with my message. I just want to wish you a blessed Christmas as I remember the reason for the season. I hope, at the very least, you practice the Golden Rule and stretch it out during our Christmas season. Goodwill and peace from me to your household.