Yesterday was a very rewarding day ...

I had the pleasure of accompanying 11 of my associates from the office out to Oasis School in Thermal. For the past 6-7 years we have been supporting 3 of the 4 Fourth Grade classes plus the Special Ed Class at various times of the year. At the start of the year, we augment their learning capabilities by providing much needed school supplies to get them off on the right start. At summer, we provide books for summer reading and other items for health and fun; however, at Christmas, our direction changes and we like to surprise them with little things to brighten their day plus a new soccer ball for each student. That was our goal today and while we accomplished it, we all came away with so much more given to us than we gave. There is no substitute for true feelings and the spirit of giving. While we brought them gifts ... we came away with such a sense of Christmas spirit that we all spoke of for the remainder of the afternoon. The wonderful welcome they give their "Fairy GodMothers and GodFathers" as they call us is enough to get your spirit going; then the thoughtful looks as a Christmas story is being told; followed by pure joy in their eyes as the little gift bags are distributed; and then the broad grins as the soccer balls are passed out ... Truly the wonder of Christmas before our eyes ... and all of this before the cookies and juice boxes are distributed ( a true wonder in today's age)... Some re-wrapped toys in the tissue paper to give to family, some spoke of taking the cookies home to share and one boy asked us to not only put his name on his soccer ball but to add his brother's name ... All of this is true confirmation for me that Christmas is alive and well here in America and worldwide ... Santa Lives :)