HO HO ...OHHhhhh

       Child, my back and legs are SO tired and achy, but higher up, there's a big smile on my face! Yes, it's awfully sad how the cold weather brings in so many folks who have no place to stay… and I do wonder where they stay in warmer weather, because they don't look like they'd sleep under a bridge, given better weather… So I wonder a lot. And while I see how sad it all is, I really enjoy being there to feed them and brighten their day—and I'm selfish enough to derive greater pleasure from greater numbers of them… sorry.
       We had three adorable children today. It was so much fun giving them cheese sticks and bubble gum—and Joey showed me a big box of gum and candies to dig through, so the kids got a little extra too. Just precious little things, and with two parents. They could be the "Father Knows Best" family, were it not for hard times.
       Two young women I'd not seen before came to lunch. One has a BIG toothless smile, just bubbling over with happiness; the other looks beaten up and sleep deprived. I didn't see our Angel, but he certainly could have been there—the place was packed! I worked 2-1/2 hours, nonstop, making and serving lunch, and didn't have time to make a single sack lunch (not complaining). Joey said he'd make some up this afternoon, and he does have dinner in the oven and on the stove, so he'll have time for sack lunches.
       For lunch (and I don't care if you are sick of this menu), I made the biggest-ever pot of soup (meatless). This one had tomatoes, fresh potatoes, corn, green beans, cans of veggies and veggie soup, pasta sauce, refried beans, pintos, water, and lots of lovin'. We dipped it with the new red ladle in honor of the season.
     We deep fried battered chicken breasts and served them on hotdog buns. We served a side of mixed fruit—another multiple can-opening endeavor. Happily, Joey had a pot of his own "soup" in the fridge, made with pepper steak and stronger tastes, so that was a wonderful back-up. We fed a crowd today!
       I don't think Black Jack is there now. Joey and I spoke briefly about how Miss Lillian's motherly love had burst forth last week in Jack's defense, but our conversation was interrupted and we didn't get to Jack's whereabouts. We did have time for a couple of short info-mercials :) Joey is so fun.
       JOEY has finished exams for another quarter of GED school!
       The upside of serving so many people is that we can, and that it feels so satisfying to put one's efforts into such an endeavor. The downside is that there isn't time to interact with "my people." And I miss that.
       Our gatekeeper is well. Mr. Huggy is well (but complaining bitterly of being overly tired). Maybe that goes with the territory at Christmastime, where shelters are involved.
       My heart will be there next Sunday, but the rest of me will be with my family… God willing.
       Have a wonderful Christmastime; put ribbons on the roof over your head, put a gift tag on your dinner plate; and hold your loved ones in the shelter of your heart.