In the Spirit of Christmas

I awoke on August 20, 1994, in hopes to find a diamond head needle for my turntable. I had some rare Beatles albums that I had purchased at a record dealership
at my local record shop. I did not have any transportation of my own, so i bought a bus ticket to a city 40 miles away, feeling assured that a shop there would have what I needed. What took place once I arrived, was totally my true reason, why I went to this City.
I walked up 3 blocks to where I knew the shop was. To my disappointment, the item I wanted, was far above my present budget. In discuss, I walked to the nearest tavern, and ordered up a shot of my favorite beverage. After the 4th drink, I was starting to cheer up a tad. Now what I needed was some music to really relax me. I asked for some change, dropped a twenty in the box, and ordered up a round for the bar. Not being from their city, the locals apparently picked up, that I was from out of town. My new found friend proceeded to tell me, that he knew where I could find such a rare item as a diamond head needle. "Lets have another drink." he said, and we will go there.
As we were walking to the shop, my drinking partner and I, were having a conversation, that only alcoholics can understand. The kind of talk that consisted of why people were always mean to one another. Why God really doesn't watch out for children. All senseless talk. Talk that can only come out of the mouths of drunkards.
In the middle of this particular talk, he mentioned that the people there are wondering, why a white man is walking alongside a black man? He mentioned that they knew he was with me to take advantage of me, and my money. Little did they know, that I was using him to get some safety, another drink, and by this time some other mind altering chemicals.
Tavern to tavern, I blended in like a cameleon in the forest, trying to locate the answer to my deepest question. Why doesn't God, take care of his children?
There are wars. Children are starving . Homeless rates are at an extreme high. Allowing Children to be raped. Allowing parents to be caloused and cruel. No, God didn't come to save us from our sins. The sin is still here. Still in this bottle. Alive and destroying my life. Where is the king of kings? Where is this man they call the Holy Spirit?
All of those thoughts were running through my head like a tornado. I did not come to the city to retrieve a diamond head needle. I came to this city to hide, and to subconsciously kill myself, through alcohol and drugs.
It was late. Taverns were closed. I missed my bus back home. I had no more money for a cab, because i spent it all on booze. I couldn't call any one I knew because i was ashamed of what I had done. I started staggering back home. 40 miles to go. How will I ever manage?
As I stumbled along side the highway west, a man pulled up along side me and told me to get in. My feet were sore ,and he looked to be trustworthy. After all, he did have a cross, hanging from his mirror. I got in. He then turned his car around and headed back to the city. I told him that I was headed in the other direction.
He then told me that I had to help him find his son, that had been drinking all day. He had to find him and let him know that he could come home. As tears flowed down my face, I told him to stop and let me out. I didn't have time to help him. I had my own son to get home to. It sure was a long walk.
Now it is Christmas Eve, 2004. The Snow is really falling hard, and the roads are barely visible. I am headed to a city. This time it is not to find a record player needle. This time I am going to a Christmas Eve party that a certain AA group is hosting. I had planned to go there and afterwords, would do the arctic league.This is a place where they hand out bags of presents to individuals, to take to qualifying families who have had difficulties getting their children gifts for Christmas.
As I was traveling west on the highway, a man was staggering along, with no coat, and a bottle of vodka in his pants pocket. Remembering that August 1994 event, I pulled my truck over and told him to get in. He thanked me, and got in. I told him it was pretty dangerous to be hitch hiking on a night like this, for a vehicle could wipe out in the snow, and take him with it. He understood and explained that he was without a vehicle and wanted to get to a party with some of his friends.
I told him that i was headed to a place close to where he was going, and was glad to help out. He asked me where I was going and told him. He said that wasn't for him but thanked me just the same. I chuckled under my breath, remembering that I used to feel that very same way.
I no longer question the Spirit Of Christmas, or the meaning of his Existence. After seeing the look in that woman's eyes, as I delivered the bag full of goodies for her children, will now forever know and understand, that he does care for, and love all the children around the world.