Folded thought of the day:


I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I have been 
studiously spending my free time doing my best to avoid 
the Christmas shoppers here in New York City.  Making 
sure I have very little cash on hand and leaving all 
those plastic currency traps at home.  

These holiday shoppers are a scary lot.  They get that 
look in their eyes and if you get in their way, you're 
in big trouble.  You're likely to lose an arm.  Hence 
the inverse correlation between the number of days  
until Christmas and the amount of time I spend huddled 
in a corner of my apartment, waiting for the department 
stores to close -- thus signaling the "all clear."

Now, when we left off last Friday, we were listening 
to some New Year's plans.  Which was a lot of fun.  

If you remember, someone asked if D. Martin would want 
to post his/her email address so that people could 
send donations.  And then someone wrote me saying they 
had not heard D. Martin's plans.  So, let me post 
D.'s original email and the follow-up response.

D. Martin's original posting:

"I don't really know where I will be on the great 'Change Over'; 
I only know that by time New Year's Eve hits, I will be 'flying 
high' in good spirit and warm feelings!  I have saved (scrimped) 
smile, all year long and bought gifts when I could avail myself 
of special discounts, etc.  I've contacted preachers, school 
principals, etc., from small farming, mining, lumbering villages 
throughout W. Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi 
in order to find out about a family in each village who are in 
need of help, or hope, or love.  I bought a 5' X 10" utility 
trailer to tow, and will go down through the states, leaving 
gifts, etc., on the porches when the people are asleep, or 
away, or maybe even sneak up when they are there and make a 
quick get-a-way!!  What a high!! (smile)  I've been able to 
find out in most cases something that they really could use 
or are in need of.  Like a computer, one man needs a new saw, 
one little girl has never had a doll of her own; so I know the 
gifts will be cherished.  By New Year's Eve, I hope to be 
completed with my journey and on my way back."


To which one reader responded with:

"There needs to be more of people like D. Martin in this world. 
It would have been nice if D. Martin's e-mail address was listed 
in case someone would like to contribute to this wonderful 
'Santa Claus.'  This is what Christmas is really about!" 

-- G. Moody
 

To which D. Martin responded this weekend by saying:

"We have such a loving extended family, don't we?  First of all, 
that is a good idea, and I will surely be thinking of all of my 
brothers, sisters & great leader during these final days.  I love 
all of you!  The second wonderful 'love offering' is the desire 
to help me with my little holiday endeavor.  Thank you, my 
friends......Thank you.  But I don't think I can carry anything 
else in my little trailer!!  But listen to this...... you can all 
make an offering to the world..... and it will be your very own 
special way to light up the universe.  Last year, while helping 
out with an abused children's organization, I met up with many 
families, children, etc., that needed so much.... and had so 
little.  I am not rich; I'm retired from the Army and work out 
of my little cottage as a writer, researcher, editor, etc.  But 
I have found that a good used bike will lift any child's spirit 
(& their parents) as well as any new one would.  I knit afghans 
to help keep them warm, and make doll clothes for their new 
'babies.'  There are so many ways that you can give to the world.  
No matter where you are, who you are, or how rich or how poor, 
you can make a difference.   Quite often, in my midnight and 
early morning strolls, I see houses that need a good coat of paint, 
or houses with elderly people who need things done on a weekend... 
whatever it is, you can identify it, and claim it as your own.  
I love you for wanting to fill the world with your love.... and 
so my friends, that is the contribution to make.  After the 
holidays, we can all tell about the little (or big) things we 
did to honor the 'Spirit', or to really celebrate the new millennium.  
It will not be 'bragging', since although we are joined together 
in spirit, love and part of the Daily Editor's family (smile) 
we will be anonymous."


Yes, we indeed have a "loving extended family."  I have received 
so many great letters these past few months from people who 
really do care about the spirit of community we are building 
down here Below the Fold.  And you are certainly a special 
person to have as part of this community.  

And I am certain the following response I received will 
brighten your day, as it brightened mine.

"I was terribly inspired after reading the plans that D. Martin 
has for New Year's. So much so that I have formulated my own gift 
giving trip for that same period. I have a small savings in the 
bank that I am willing to help the less fortunate with. It's only 
money and I can always make more. There are many people in Maine 
that don't have much and could use help. My daughter helps her 
school every holiday by passing out gift baskets of food so I 
have checked with the schools and they were able to give me a 
list of needy families in my area and surrounding areas that 
won't be able to provide gifts and food for their families this 
holiday season. I can think of no better way to help others and 
make myself feel good at the same time. Thank you so much D. Martin 
for your inspiration and hopefully it has inspired more than just 
me. It all comes back to you in the end."

-- GARC58


Wow!  This is so amazing.  I'm a little speechless.  Which is 
fine... cause there's no way I could top the words and 
meaning shared above.