Thank you, thank you, thank you

It was a bitter cold night in Boston.  The wind felt like a knife cutting away at any unprotected skin.  We were driving around, surrounded by the beautiful Chirstmas lights and decorations, looking for homeless people to give our handmade blankets to.  We were having trouble finding anyone and took delight in this actually, hoping that everyone was off the streets on this awful night and inside warm and safe.  All of a sudden Mark pulled to the curb and pointed saying, "There."  Abby and I got out of the car, I stood back as she approached an older Asian gentleman sitting on the cold concrete; his head was bent down, not doubt to protect his face from the wind.  She stood in front of him and he lifted his tired eyes to hers as she said, "Merry Christmas."  For a moment, there was hope, he smiled a very broad toothless smile and said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."  We piled back into the car and I looked in the rear view mirror at Abby, she was also smiling.  She had the smile of someone who had made a difference in the life of someone else.  Merry Christmas everyone, the gift we receive in giving, is far greater than any we will find under the tree.

For information on the "Soul to Soul" project, please go to http://www.lauralesterfournier.com/ and click on the link.  Thank you.