It's been an odd Christmas season.
It began when my pal, Linda's, parents died within ten days of each other after Thanksgiving. You can say they were old, at 85, and sick, which they were, and raring to go Home to Jesus, which is also true. But, darn it, I miss them. Christmas won't be the same without their quirky senses of humor and love of the season.
Then there have been the police officers killed this month. Three if I'm counting correctly. All protecting and serving when they were attacked. They all had children who will wake up Christmas morning without their fathers.
Add to that the embezzlement reported from the Toys for Tots fund in Chicago and the toys stolen from the Lutheran church up in Antioch. And the general state of the economy and the strangeness of the political season.
But then comes the story of the one-hundred fire trucks.
11-year-old Kyle McGetrick of Barnegat, New Jersey is dying of cancer. Within 24-hours this week, firefighters put together a convoy of nearly one-hundred fire vehicles which cruised past Kyle's house Wednesday night, sirens blaring and lights flashing...followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, of course.
Kyle's dad, also a firefighter, is quoted in the local Barnegat Ocean-Patch:
“I don’t know how they orchestrated it all,” Gene McGetrick said. His son has been spending most of his time in bed, exhausted from his fight against the disease he’s battled for more than half his life. “But he got himself up to go and wave to everybody. They made his night last night.”
And then, in Garnerville, New York, the Thiells Fire Department learned of a nine-year-old boy suffering from leukemia. They brought him a dog for Christmas.
From LoHud.com:
"When he saw two firetrucks arrive in front of his house one recent evening, 9-year-old Sean DePatto was worried that his house might be on fire.
Jason Trow, the fire department’s 2nd lieutenant, organized the surprise. He said he and his fellow firefighters wanted to cheer up Sean and his family.
“We’re trying to do something nice for the family. I know it’s really hard … especially during the holidays,” Trow said. “We are trying to make it a really good Christmas for them.”
Kim DePatto said the surprise visit put a big smile on Sean’s face."
All of which reminds us that, amidst the darkness and pain of this Christmas season, light shines clearly and brightly, just as it did for the shepherds in a long-ago time...
"...and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
May God's Grace bless and keep you this holiday season and in the new year.
((Watch the video here: http://firetruckblog.com/2011/12/23/fire-service-flash-mob-in-barnegat-new-jersey-puts-on-a-show-for-a-firefighters-young-son-in-his-final-days/))
