Merry Christmas

At this time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Christmas pulls us out of our ruts and makes us take note of friends, acquaintances and even strangers. Santa comes to visit the grand and the less grand. Then ,there's all the excuses Christmas gives us to party hearty!

Walking door-to-door in one of the poorest districts in Dallas is an incredible experience. You see homes in all sorts of conditions.

Some rental properties are in such bad shape it's hard to believe they should be occupied and you know that Code Enforcement is not doing its job.

Some small houses have been fixed up, and you can feel the family's love for their little piece of paradise.

Other neighborhoods are quite nice and have never gone through the horrific decline you see elsewhere.

One neighborhood looks like something you would see in an East Coast city. Little houses built right up to within a few feet of the sidewalk. Many clearly have been added to over the years as the family grew. But, it's a neighborhood where they watch out for each other and know who's home and who is out.

As a native Texan, I have always known Hispanic families and friends, but they were also mostly native Texans. Meeting many immigrant families who have sacrificed so much to be here and buy homes to house their children has been a blessing. They have such joy in their lives.

	The Christmas decorations in the NW Highway to Walnut Hill area are really something to see. They may not meet the standards of the Park Cities, but they are wonderful and exuberant and fun.
Lots of big Snowmen and Santa's (the air puffed sacks). Lots of lights. Lots of new swag lights with red light bows. Just wonderful.

It's hard to resist the joy, so don't.

The city's problems will wait a week or so. The crooked politicians will still be around in a week or so. Just leave all that aside for a few days.

As a DallasArena.com reader, you probably worry about stuff a lot more than your neighbor who never bothers to vote -- but doesn't let that keep him from belly-aching all the time. As a DallasArena.com reader, you probably are involved in at least one civic or volunteer group. Well, take a few days off.

If you can't think of anything to do after dark and have no one to do something with -- head North on Lemmon Ave., which becomes Marsh Lane at NW Highway. Drive as many of the side streets as time permits. See if you don't feel better when you head home. Unless you're heart dead and no fun left in you, you will laugh and smile and grin a lot on your tour.

We may not be the richest part of town, but we have the best sense of humor.

As a Christian, I understand the significance of Christmas. I also recognize that it is God's gift to let us take a break and touch each other.

When my neighbors put their Christmas decorations out, they are really giving you a great big hug. Accept it.

There will be no DallasArena.com edition until Monday, December 30th.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Sharon Boyd