Mood:
specialTopic: "Frodo's Xmas Story"(6)
Frodo remembers, once in a while, something from his past which has rooted itself into what he now knows as his persona. He remembers hearing a "Bible story" about a bunch of church officials meeting Jesus outside the Temple, near where the "offering box" was located. Together they watched as the supplicants offered their gifts as they entered. Most of them, as the story went, were well-dressed and obviously pretty well-off, since their gifts were very generous. That is with the exception of one lady, who had no fine garments, and whose offering consisted of but a few coins which were apparently all that she had.
Jesus turned to the church officials and told them to take note of the fact that the lady had given more than any of the others who entered therein. He told them that she had given all that she had, and that such a sacrifice was far greater than the large amounts tendered by those with more to give.
This coming Saturday, Frodo and the Men of Gondor will gather again before the Mammon of modern retail, with their small red kettle and the bells of the Salvation Army. The volunteers will receive a new and very special gift this year which is a direct segue from the story-line above.
Proximity allowed Frodo and Sam some years ago to drive near Mordor in order to visit with and to meet the one now known as Merry, the proud. The visit between internet correspondents fulfilled all the good wishes of new friends. Learned was much about the parties thereto, and the things that were important, one-to-another. Merry seemed most interested in the good acts of the Men of Gondor, and particularly in the ringing of the bells aside the small red kettle. Frodo doubts not that among the years that followed, Merry would drop coins into a red kettle and tell the volunteer that the submission was "for Frodo," thereby startling and confusing good-hearted people who knew not of what she spoke.
This year, Frodo has received a check for $50 from his fellow warrior in the Fellowship. The request being that Frodo deposit it in the little red kettle for her so that she could share in the joy of the gift with her friend.
Social Security Disability payments offer barely enough to meet the challenges of daily need. The fact that anyone, solely dependent on such, can scrimp and save enough, over an entire year, in order to accumulate enough for such a gift is as amazing as it is awesome.
Frodo has turned to the Men of Gondor with this story, and reiterated the parable of she who has given beyond all others. Together, as volunteers working on behalf of the Salvation Army, we offer the heartfelt "Thank You" and "Merry Christmas" to she known as Merry, of the Fellowship.
Dale Hajost Roger Green George Gfroerer G. Craig Baker
Rod Pope Abe Wong Phil Brooks Eric Lawrence
Joe Kyle George Hornbein
