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Have you ever wondered?

Lots of things have kept me busy the last little while, so I haven't had a chance to write about something that has been on my mind of late. It is that season once more, when fat men in red suits and excuses to make merry come together to have a go at making the ailing retail market better by buying loved ones things they likely don't need because some guy was allegedly born in a manger in a land far, far away...

Aside from getting that Lexus with the ridiculous red bow tied around it in honour of Jesus' birthday, there are well meaning people out there collecting unwrapped toys for children or money so toys and things can be bought for needy children. And it is a beautiful thing I must say. Local celebrities, the average bloke in the suit and tie, all come out to do their bit. 

I was watching the news the other day and one of this city's more venerable events was on at the local hotel. Apparently, last year, they raised more than 26,000 toys and $25,000 for the kids. All that for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. This from, and for a region that has about 2.5 million people. Something troubles me with these numbers though. Assuming these toys are for the really needy children out there and assuming that each child gets _a_ toy, are we saying that there are about 26,000 children amongst this population of 2.5 million that have families who cannot provide a toy on their own? That is not counting all the toys you can buy with the money that was raised.

If that is so, we are indeed living in a place that has a lot of sadness and poverty. I find these numbers to be a bit on the high side to be frank. Are there really 26,000 kids out there with nothing for Christmas? Or are parents helping themselves to the generosity of others? Or is it something else like some kid that's getting 20 presents? I don't know. This much I do know. When I was a kid, I got a lot of things for Christmas. I think my mother still buys me stuff for Christmas every year. Most of the time, these are things I don't need and will likely never use. Its not like I was out there looking for Santa or something when I was a kid; we grew up with very different notions of what Christmas was; there was no barrage of marketing telling us about all the things we needed or else be scorned by the kids across the street; no one tried to sell me a mobile phone because I was not naughty (there were probably no mobile phones back then). But I did enjoy getting presents.

My hope is that for all those kids out there who need something to believe, I hope they believe in Christmas and get a present for it I hope their lot gets better for next year. I sure as hell hope no one is taking advantage of all these toys people have collected for the truly needy. And finally, I really hope that people appreciate that presents are just things. What is more important at this time of year is to appreciate life and those that make yours bearable. I am looking forward to a quiet Christmas where I spend some time with the people that make me who I am and I ask Santa for one thing (apart from all the cars and hot women I have asked him for which he seems to not deliver); help me become a better person. Wrap that and put it under a tree and I'll be happy.
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