A Big Little Donation

Several from the KRBC crew rang bells alongside Salvation Army kettles over the weekend. I ended the day with a warm heart, partly from my own small contribution but even moreso from seeing so many generous people freely give! Of all the munificent donations that day, one young philanthropist touched me the most.

He must have been 6 or 7. The young boy emerged from between his two parents and marched intently toward us. Without hesitation, he took the cash from his hand and shoved every bit of into the red kettle. The boy gave an accomplished grin after the act and held his head high as he walked back to his parents. The parents stood astounded, telling us how that was all of his spending money which he had just received.

I believe the boy's donation was only a couple of bucks or so, but all that he had, he gave. Whether it's sparing my loose change for a non-profit organization or buying a sandwich for the homeless man on the corner, the next time I consider looking the other direction and moving on, I'll think of this boy. His selfless act of giving is what brings Christmas to families who might not otherwise find it. May we all find in ourselves the desire to reach out this holiday season, instead of settling in.

Cheers.

My Dark and Early Transition

I mean dark as in the night's sky, not that metaphorical obscurity that people use to describe their inner turmoil. Let's move on.

In fact, that's what I am blogging about today--how I'm moving on. I am no longer on Abilene Today and Midday but KRBC's 6 & 10 p.m. newscasts. The move has been thrilling emotionally and psychologically, but the challenges of the physical transition are indubitably present. Fortunately, the challenges, all told, are minor.

Appetite - Over the last year, my weekdays began at 3 a.m. My eating habits, nevertheless, started shortly thereafter. My last meal was around 5:30 p.m. to accommodate my 7 o'clock bedtime. Now, I head to the station about 11 hours later and get off sometime after the 10 p.m. news. I now take my final bite just hours before what used to be my first bite. Needless to say, my stomach has been a bit confused.

Cognizance - I have been slightly less sharp than usual, especially come 10 p.m. news time, but the lack of vigilance has not been a hinderance. I am simply living another time zone, so to speak. I suspect I'll gain full attentiveness by the end of week two. Besides, the adrenaline is enough to make Eeyore do the Macarena!

On a scale of 1-10 (1= Meh, these issues aren't enough to make me sneeze! 10= Cumbersome's wicked stepmother), I'd say these "challenges" get a rating of about 0.63. When compared to the full extent of my gratification, they fall to something like 0.31. All in all, I loved waking up with Abilene, and now I love getting to say, "Goodnight!" Plus, my friends haven't excluded me from their evening festivities, even as I work!

Cheers.