I think the real meaning of Christmas has to be the little unexpected acts of
kindness and generosity.  I got a tree today!  It was delivered to my house by
FedEx and it is alive and already has lights on it and is beautiful.  It was a
gift from my darling Patty.   It was unexpected.  It was perfect.  It
symbolizes light that always returns.  

Shortly after finding this beautiful tree a home in my living room, watering
her, and playing her some christmas songs, the mailman came and delivered
another package from Linda, DeeTee's daughter.  I opened this box and there
were many magical candles with many scents and again the light returns.

It is these unexpected gifts that come from the heart that so embrace both
this season and the willingness of humans to reach out and connect. There have
been so many of these bits of magic through the years and for some reason, they
always arrived just when I need them

These meanderings actually have a purpose.  This group of people known as ASA
are really quite special and a little unusual as a usenet group.  I think the
constant willingness to reach out in real time is something that permeates this
group and makes things slightly different than most cyber groups.  

...and so I sit here, heart full, proud to be a member of ASA and of humanity
and in love with life-

m