The holidays are an especially difficult time for me. Not because I suffer hardship as too many people do, but because I see those who suffer and it pains me. I have been truly lucky. I have family who loves me, a warm place to sleep, food to eat and a job I enjoy. However, this time of year, I think often about those not so fortunate.

This time of year emphasizes the gap between the haves and have nots more so than any other time of year. While some children are poring over  toy catalogs making wish lists, there are other children for whom Christmas is just another day. A day without heat or three meals. There will be no iPad under their tree, there may not even be a tree.

I may not be able to do all that I want, I do know that every little bit helps. I threw my car change into the Salvation Army bucket today at Kroger. If everyone put his or her car change to good use, it will help make someone’s Christmas merry and bright.