Gifts

It’s that time of year.  Parking lots are crazy.  Lists are being made.  Things to prepare, things to purchase, people to remember.  I look back over the year and have many fond memories I want to capture with words to go with the pictures I’ve taken.  I scroll down this blog and laugh as I continually change the setting so my entry "It’s a Wonderful Life" won’t fall off the bottom.  Why?  Because I love reading it.  I love re-reading the comments it generated.  I love re-living that moment.  I want to carry in my heart that feeling of pure JOY from the experience itself, followed by the immeasurable gratitude for unexpected gifts, like that day, and those people, who made a difference in our lives. 

Before I let the Sam’s Story drop into the archives, I will share this video….grabbed by my digital camera since I didn’t have my video camera with me that day.  It’s only a snippet, but I know what it is, what it means, and I’m happy for the few seconds I have…..and I’ve finally posted it to YouTube.  Here is Mike, showing Sam to direct Kiska for a trick, and a small view of Kendra, and Sean’s voice.  To them and to Nicholas, THANK YOU.

And while were at it, let’s remember Jason.  You probably saw the news clips about him – a young autistic boy who became the basketball hero.  Here is a newscast that shows his story, and how he made a difference to a family with a young son just diagnosed.  I’m sure there are countless more people who were touched in some way by Jason.  I know I was when I first got a call from a friend’s husband to report on the story which led me to catch it on the news.  I’ll never forget Jason McElwain…..and how cool is this?  The evening after being at Marineland, Sam and I turned on the tv at the hotel and happened to tune into the Kid’s Choice awards just as Jason received an honor.  Click here for more. 

"The best things in life aren’t things".

This Christmas, remember hope and magic don’t have pricetags, they’re priceless.  Give an unexpected gift.