I’m getting off on Christmas spirit today, which means no shopping, no arguing, no judging, just giving, not receiving. I suppose giving is a gift in its own way.

Today, a hard-pressed mother send me a photo of her son. He had no winter coat, no winter boots, no stand to get his TV up off the ground, no dining room table or chairs to sit at with his mom and sister.

The single mother is struggling, she has two jobs, no husband, high rent, rising costs. She lives in Albany.

I got the sweetest message from her today, along with this photo of her son wearing his new winter jacket and boots, of which he is proud. He doesn’t have to go out in the winter in his sweatshirt now and get ridiculed by the other kids.

His family has an inexpensive but comfortable table and four chairs, and the TV is up on a table rather than on the floor.

Also today, I saw a video of the Bishop Maginn Choir singing at the school’s Thanksgiving Prayer meeting. We brought music back to the school. And the presents from the Christmas Wish Liste were distributed to grateful parents.

Small acts of Great Kindness, courtesy of the Army Of Good, it’s hard to keep track of all the lives you have touched. I hope this makes you feel as good as it makes me.

I’ll be writing about the Christmas spirit – and trying to live it – up to Christmas and beyond. My holiday is shopping free, online or off.

And thanks. This young man is warm now, just in time for winter, but he’s also got his pride and dignity back. Thanks.