Dear Friends, I need to acknowledge that I’ve been remiss in my handling of preparations for our annual holiday tradition of feeding and sharing gifts with Houston’s homeless. If you are familiar with the back story, you know that what was once a simple tradition I sustained alone for many years has grown in recent years to involve many more people. The impact on those who benefit has grown tremendously as well, and last year we fed and provided blankets, warm clothing, toiletries and other items to nearly 100 people. I’ve been amazed by the outpouring of generosity and compassion by all who’ve helped make it possible. This year, I let that success get the best of me. I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by some imagined pressure to make the event even bigger and better than before. It then occurred to me as growing too big and complicated, and with everything else I had going on in my work and personal life, it started to seem like another big project I didn’t need. I lost touch with why I did it in the first place, and lost my connection to the joy it has always been both for me and for others. Some time alone the last couple days has helped me find my center again. And while there has been little planning and coordination of it this year, the event will still go on. It will be whatever it is, and it will be perfect. The whole point is to bring joy to people who live at the margins of our society and who are too often forgotten and made invisible. If we can do that for one person, we’ve made a difference. And it’s not about the food, the blankets, or clothing, though all those are needed and appreciated by those who receive them. It is, more than anything, the time and fellowship we share that has been most fulfilling in the past. That doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. The event will be tomorrow evening (Saturday, Dec 27th) at 5 PM to allow more time to collect, sort and organize donations already received and more that have been offered. I’m very grateful to all who have provided donations and to everyone who has offered to assist in any way. Following are details of the schedule, location, and plan...
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:07:31 +0000
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