Home for the Holidays

Despite the holiday movies that chronicle in hilarious fashion the dysfunction of families; being home for the holidays is a longing that few of us lose. Do you remember the first time that you were unable to go home because you were in school, in the military, or had a job far from home and could not afford to make the trip? There is something special about the rituals and traditions, the food or the decorations, the gifts or the time spent with a distant family member that endear holidays to us.
I hope that all of the youth with whom you work are home for the holidays or certainly "home" with someone that cares about them as a unique individual. I hope their families are able to continue some of those rituals and traditions that are precious to them in these times of economic duress.
For all of you, that give so much and sacrifice time with your own families to insure that our youth are safe; I wish for you, time at home with your loved ones. For all of us, I hope that our economic travails are quickly at an end and that peace can prevail.
Warm wishes for a safe, loving, and happy holiday season to you and yours.