Yet, however our struggles may be in our search for the best possible gifts to give, I feel for those among us who despise Christmas because its celebration – the perception that it is a time to give and receive gifts – singles them out and points to their inability to meet the expectations of their loves ones and those around them.
I am hoping that the people, who are known to earn as much as Santa Clause could afford to give to the average and below average wage earners – pursuant to the minimum wage act and quite possibly “jungle rules” – to do a little people shopping.It has never snowed in Palau and people would definitely not be covered from head to toe. However, there will be people who will be cold and would not experience the warmth of Christmas.You and I certainly have obligations for our immediate relatives and they to their relatives – hopefully. It is – I hope you are prone to feel the same way too – difficult for me to window shop, especially when I have literally window shopped since January 2nd of this year.The difficulty does not arise from my inability to purchase everything I want as I look into the stores’ windows, but from an eerie feeling that someone across the street from where I stand is hungry but is too ashamed to let me know; and therefore, opts to pray that he or she would somehow be given an opportunity to be in my shoes.For the sake of Christmas, I dare say that you and I have done far too many window-shopping. Moreover, I know you have seen some of the well-connected and well-to-do relatives, friends, elected leaders in the stores far too many times. I think we should start taking humble steps into the stores around now and at least attempt to shift their focus from the top shelves and the latest of everything to the windows. Maybe, just maybe, they would get a glimpse of the people on the outside looking in; and maybe, just maybe, they would notice those across the street who will eagerly wave at them – during any campaign trail.If for some reason, you would have a little unbudgeted funds, I ask that you give it to a person you have seen across the street looking at you. He or she just might be the person whom you are destined to convince that Christmas really is a time to give.As for me, I will walk across the street every now and then – hopefully I will not be run over by a drunk driver – and make waves to attract those who would be leaving the stores bearing gifts to look our way. I would be screaming, “Give a little! Make this a better place!”
