Christmas trees and people

As I sit here,looking at the darkened Christmas tree,standing alone in the corner. I wonder when it became so sad. Just a week ago,it was happy,colorful and full of promise and now,it just looks sad.
Soon,it will be packed away in the attic and forgotten for 11 months,before it once again becomes the center of attention.
In thinking about that,my mind is drawn to the other things that hold our attention during the holidays. Friends that never know we are thinking about them,until they get a Christmas card, family that we only call during the holidays..even the Salvation Army only gets our attention when we see the bell ringers standing outside in the cold.
Why ? Why do we only feel the need to contact old friends,family or do something to help charity during the holidays ? People need to know they are cared about all year long,not just when we are trying to score holiday brownie points,or trying to make ourselves feel good by doing something once a year.
How many friends feel like that forgotten Christmas tree ? How many people need our help through charitable organizations all through the year ?
My resolution this year isn't to lose weight,or exercise more,I need to do that anyway. It is to be a better friend,a better part of my community every month of the year,not just at Christmas time.
It doesn't take money to help. Time,donating clothes,blankets all are much needed items and cost very little.

Things I have learned

That no matter if there are 6 other people in the house,i'm still the only one that can replace the toilet paper, notice when there is a sink full of dishes or the fact that the garbage needs to be taken out.

That no matter how much the dog hates to get wet,he will still find the biggest mud puddle in the pasture to lay in every chance he gets.

That just as I get the carpet cleaned and the floors mopped,it will rain for days creating rivers of mud,which of course the dogs and boys have to run through.

That the dogs won't bark,the phones won't ring and no one will want my attention until I want to take a nap.

That sentences that start with "promise you won't be mad" are a sure sign that I am about to blow my stack.

That cats intentionally set out to drag in something that will make your skin crawl,every chance they get.

That a cat will never hack up anything in broad daylight...they always have to wait until after midnight and before 6 a.m.

That teenagers will think you have no clue what you are talking about,even if you are telling them that the sky is blue and grass is green.

That no matter what you say to a man,all he hears is a voice that sounds like the teacher from Charlie Brown. 

That the sure fire way to have everyone in the house wanting to talk to you, is to try and take a long hot bath...then,they will be knocking on the bathroom door,every 30 seconds.

That even if it hasn't rained in months,try wearing a new pair of brushed leather boots out somewhere and you will have flash flood warnings in a matter of hours.

 

That its still possible to feel alone,in a room full of people.....

That its okay to dance around the house acting goofy when you're sad....

That you're never too old to play in the rain....

That losing contact with someone you care about,will always hurt.....

That there will always be songs on the radio that remind you of the past..sometimes they will make you smile,other times they will make you cry.....

That you should never miss a chance to make someone smile......