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A Strange Path to Acquiring the Christmas Spirit<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Happy day after Thanksgiving folks. Mary and I are away from home on the road campaigning for a GOP victory in the last U.S. Senate race. Still, we shared a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with a dear friend at a very nice old school restaurant. Most of the waiters are very classy tuxedo wearing senior professionals who have been serving for decades. They could have retired years ago, but obviously love what they do. As I said, dinner was delightful; elegant warm ambiance, shared light relaxing conservation, laughs and tales of family (good and not so good).<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, my leather coat was stolen from the back of a chair in a hotel. My cell phone was in the pocket. Hotel management was stunned as such a crime is unusual for them. The security officer took me to his office to fill out a report form for the police. Two controlled, but extremely upset young white men were brought into the security office by a guard to fill out reports. One complained to me that the form required them to write-in their race. This sparked conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I said, they were highly upset and their story was difficult to follow. Best I could understand, their friend had a heart attack, a seizure or something. He was foaming at the mouth and taken to the hospital. His buddies feared that he was not breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n

After completing my police report form, I shook the guys hands and wished them and their friend the the best. Suddenly, I felt myself having to hold back tears. I had the overwhelming feeling that God had put me there for them; a friendly supportive ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Loosing my coat was a bummer, but not a huge big deal. I had enjoyed the classic leather coat for several years, inherited to me from the late David Smith who worked in the Ronald Reagan Administration. David said whenever Reagan sent him on a mission to a foreign country, upon David’s return, Reagan did not want a lengthy report. Reagan would say, \u201cGive it to me in a paragraph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

David said working for Reagan was a delight. Reagan loved to tell clean jokes.<\/span><\/p>\n

My greatest concern about the theft of my coat was the loss of my cell phone in the pocket. Thanksgiving night, Mary called and canceled my service.<\/span><\/p>\n

This morning, Black Friday, my wonderful wife Mary took on the task of making all things right again; getting her hubby a new phone. She spent forever on her cell phone trying to speak with a live human being. Then, I heard her in an annoyed tone yell, \u201cPress one for English?\u201d Anyway, she finally got through to an English speaking human. My new phone will be shipped to the hotel in the next city on our tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Mary was on the phone negotiating with the phone company, I dug my box of Thanksgiving leftovers out of the mini-fridge in our hotel room and microwaved them. Delicious, the second day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The original \u201cHome Alone\u201d movie was on TV. I laughed a lot. After \u201cHome Alone\u201d, the same station broadcast \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d. Wow, I had forgotten how beautiful \u201cSomewhere Over The Rainbow\u201d is sung by Judy Garland.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, I realized, I am in the Christmas Spirit. I feel happy and grateful. My coat and phone were stolen. And yet, I feel blessed. All is well and God is good.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of coats, Mary just purchased a coat for herself made out of Alpaca; supposedly warmer than wool. An interesting tidbit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<\/span><\/p>\n

God bless, Lloyd
\nThe Unhyphenated American<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Strange Path to Acquiring the Christmas Spirit Happy day after Thanksgiving folks. Mary and I are away from home on the road campaigning for a GOP victory in the last U.S. Senate race. Still, we shared a lovely Thanksgiving…<\/p>\n

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