Christmas Blessings!
Dear CASA Volunteers and Supporters,
This time of year is so busy for all and today I just want to stop for a moment and reflect on our blessings here at CASA and let you all know how we use what you bless us with to positively impact our CASA kids. Today as I arrived to work I was greeted with a pile of new toys, scarves and hats and goodies for our CASA kids. All of these things were gifts from our wonderful CASA supporters to our CASA kids. This time of year always serves as an amazing reminder to me about the generosity of others here in the Highland Lakes Area. We simply could not provide Christmas for all of the kids we serve without your help and we genuinely thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts for your outpouring of kindness, which will enable us to love on our CASA kids a little more over Christmas.
Yesterday I was driving in the car, listening to Christmas music on the radio. I just love this time of year for many reasons, but Christmas music is one of my favorite things. The song from “The Grinch” came on the radio, the one by Faith Hill called “Where Are You Christmas?” and suddenly I realized how relatable this song is to our precious CASA kids. The Lyrics are as follows:
Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you? Why have you gone away? Where is the laughter you used to bring me? Why can’t I hear music play? My world is changing. I’m rearranging. Does that mean Christmas changes too? Where are you Christmas? Do you remember the one you used to know? I’m not the same one. See what the time’s done. Is that why you have let me go?
The end of the song is more uplifting because the writer finds Christmas, but what a sad picture the first half of this song paints?! Upon listening to the first half of this song I could not help but think that children in foster care oftentimes feel like they cannot find Christmas and that, because of their frequent moves, Santa won’t find them either. They are filled with sorrow, but longing for holiday laughter. Much like the writer of this song, their world has changed, in fact, it’s been turned totally upside down and they’ve been completely “rearranged” through no fault of their own. They don’t feel the same and they often feel that this is all their fault, even though it’s not. This is why it’s our job at CASA to bring them a little joy and ensure that their Christmas is a memorable one. My hope for all of our CASA kids this season is that they can relate to the end of this song, which goes like this:
If there is love in your heart and your mind you will feel like Christmas all the time! I feel you Christmas. I know I’ve found you. You never fade away! The joy of Christmas stays here inside us. Fills each and every heart with love.
Thank you all for helping us put a little love in the hearts of our CASA kids so that they can feel the joy of Christmas in some way! We are forever grateful!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
With Warm Regards,
Kristen Harris, Executive Director
