By Vivian Conrad | Senior Center Director
On Christmas morning, my son and his wife were wakened at 5 a.m. by a stealthy patter of small feet down the hall. Peeking from their bedroom door, they observed five-year old Evan creeping into the living room. After a quick survey of Santa’s bounty, he ran back to his room and joyfully reported to his little brother, “We made it, Ashton! We’re on the ‘Nice’ list!”
My grandsons are typical rambunctious preschoolers. Some days the line between “naughty” and “nice” is stretched pretty thin at their house. But on the whole, their sweet natures and teachable hearts – and occasional reminders of Christmas rewards – generally win out over displays of temper or disobedience.
Wouldn’t it be something if more people in the world cared about making Santa’s “Nice” list? Just think how different our society could be. We might witness the disappearance of road rage. Shoplifting and petty thievery could grind to a halt. Sales clerks and customers might speak to one another calmly and with respect. Reports of drive-by shootings, gang violence or drug raids would vanish from newspaper headlines. Generosity would replace greed as behavioral motivation.
Every change has to start somewhere. As we move into a new year, I resolve to do my best to be the “nice” person I’d wish others to be. If I could manage to control those “naughty” impulses and contribute even a little gentleness, patience, or temperance to my environment, who knows but that it might encourage someone else to do the same.
From all of us at the Senior Center, best wishes for a New Year filled with joy and blessings.
Senior Center News
Have a ‘nice’ year
- Senior Center News
-
-
International flavor
During our years in Kwangju, South Korea, my best friend served several terms as parent association president at her kids’ elementary school.
-
Of jails, crowbars, and affectionate friends
I spent much of last Friday morning in jail.
-
Treasuring our history and heritage
I’m holding a quilt that was made in the 1850s.
-
An old-fashioned romance
My grandmother was already engaged to another person when she attended a wake and caught sight of my grandfather kneeling at his wife’s coffin, asking God to help him raise his motherless children.
-
Tough people
“I’m a tough guy,” my grandson announced.
-
Let’s focus on fun
Fragrant rose bushes. Flowering trees. Rippling fountains. Gentle breezes.
-
It’s all about family
It started with just my brother, my sister and me.
-
The gift of service
Monday night we held a volunteer appreciation dinner.
-
Let’s go with the flow
Our Senior Center was underwater on Monday.
-
Relationships come first
It was one of those alarm-didn’t-go-off, can’t-find-matching-socks, the-dog-ate-my-homework kind of mornings.
- More Senior Center News Headlines
-
International flavor
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
