DEAR EDITOR: I share with readers what was shared with me by a friend over a year ago.

A LEMON BUN, A SOFT DRINK AND A SMILE.

The story was told of a little boy who wanted to meet God. Not knowing where God lived, the boy packed his suitcase with a few lemon buns and two soft drinks and started out on his journey. When he had gone a few blocks, he met an old woman who was sitting in the park staring at some pigeons.

The boy sat down and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his soft drink when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a lemon bun. She accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a soft drink. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! Together they sat all afternoon eating and smiling.

As it grew dark, the boy realised it was time to go home, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “ I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “ I had lemon buns and soft drink in the park with God, and you know, he's much younger than I expected.”

Many people are desperate for someone, anyone, to love them. You never know, something as simple as a lemon bun, a soft drink, or even a smile, might just make all the difference in the world to someone else!”

Note: I have substituted “lemon bun” and “soft drink for “twinkie” and “root beer” respectively, in the original message.

Carlyle Stephens, D'abadie

DEAR EDITOR: Seasons Greetings! The joyous and festive season of Christmas is here again with us another year and the question remains, “Have we put aside time for the lonely, the elderly, the homeless, the unemployed, the single mother?”

Although there is enough Christmas cheer to go around, some of our citizens will not be celebrating, as others would. Their Christmas will be cheerless and homeless.

There is so much advertisements telling us about where to shop, why to shop, how to shop, advertisements which lure you to big spending. At this time of year citizens tend to be more generous with their time, talent and treasures, but why not seek out the downtrodden, the oppressed, the ones who are affected/infected with HIV/AIDS, aren't these citizens who are considered “outcasts” worthy to be treated as human beings too?

The Christmas story, which has been told for the past two thousand years, should inspire us to be more compassionate to those in need.

Joseph and Mary were “humble” people, they did not have any luxuries and riches, but the gift they brought into the world was more precious than any gold or silver, the gift of God made flesh.

This Christmas season take a minute, a moment, take some time to reflect on the gift that changed the entire world.

Let us not get caught up in the “frenzy” of gift-giving, shopping exchanging gifts, overindulging in alcohol and food, but take time to reflect on “the reason for the season.”

Ken Smith, Woodbrook