By Jeanne Lawrence, Development Director RMHC-SWVA
“And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say – that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!”
One of the famous lines from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and a quote I hear regularly in my home, even in the Spring and Summer months. My youngest son, 4, just had us watch The Grinch (2018) movie 5 times in one week as it is one of his favorites, so much that we did a Grinch themed 2nd birthday party for his November birthday.
The holiday season has many meanings tied to it – the spiritual sense, the giving sense, the uniting sense, and purely joyful sense. It’s the message, it’s the promise, and it’s the human connection that comes with the season – it tells us that our loved ones will soon be near, it feeds our need to help and nurture others, it renews our hope of a better tomorrow, and that there is meaning greater than us all.
Every time we watch the movie, my son asks many questions, we discuss the meaning of Christmas, why Grinch is sad at times and how nice it is at the end that Grinch has friends. So, if my son wants to celebrate the holiday season at different times of the year, sing Christmas carols in May, watch Christmas movies in July then I join in on the fun and allow myself to be distracted from the crazy time in our world.
Here at the Ronald McDonald House, for us “Christmas in July” is a great time for our families to get to recharge that hope that comes with the holiday season, feel the love of family, and the blessings that come with each day. For our donors, we challenge you to take the time to celebrate as well and to recharge your charitable batteries – “true meaning of Christmas”. It serves as a timely reminder as to why we celebrate the Holiday season in the first place.
With our families, who could use a bit of that holiday spirit – the love, the joy and the hope that comes with the season – we will be celebrating with a holiday meal, Santa’s Workshop, and some holiday festivities, we invite our neighbors to celebrate with us as well. Let us not give up on Christmas or its true messages of faith, love, forgiveness, charity, and joy.