And So It Was, The Giving In The Realm

‘I almost like giving more.” Katie Hawn, sophomore.

And unto them came Lake City High students bearing gifts, not of frankincense and myrrh, but of Pocahontas slippers and toy cars. And the children laid their offerings before their teachers and begged to give more because they had so much and some families had so little.

“They don’t want much. I’m asking for a CD player. I feel guilty.” Leah Schneider, Lake City High junior.

Their teachers had asked, “Do you want to help your neighbors?” And the children had cried, “We do.” So the teachers told them of the lame man who could find no work and of his young daughter.

They told of the woman whose husband beat her and of the cold basement in which she hid with her two babes. They told of 13 families luck had smote.

The students lowered their eyes and opened their hearts and proved wrong their parents who had called them thoughtless and self-absorbed children.

“We’re more into giving than receiving now. Last Christmas we got everything and it wasn’t even fun.” Bethany Toews, sophomore.

For seven days and nights, the students shopped, stitched and hunted. A caravan overflowed with their offerings of trees and garments, toys and trinkets.

With the gifts they brought an abundance of food - potatoes from the earth and chili from Nalleys. Six tons of food to feed the hungry of their village.

And when the work was done, their hearts were full.

“This is better than getting stuff for Christmas.” Katie Brunn, sophomore.

The students joined the caravan as it traveled four days ago to the homes of the lame man, the beaten wife and others less fortunate.

And the children smiled at the happiness they brought and locked the joy in their memories.

“If we can see them, then on Christmas Eve we can picture them and know we made them happy.” Melisa Carper, sophomore.

Real life

Young journalists Liz Meyer and Colleen Brennan just learned that there’s more than one way to get a story.

Lakes Middle School wouldn’t let Liz and Colleen ask students which teachers they like best and why. No popularity contests, they were told. The girls say good teachers deserve some strokes.

So, Liz and Colleen asked students, instead, to list qualities the best teachers share. A sense of humor and cheerfulness were at the top, right above teachers who don’t yell. How odd.

But, students couldn’t stop there. They know which teachers they like and told Liz and Colleen: Chris Hammons, Carl Couser, Don Jaspers, Dave Carlson, Michelle Judy, Carol Quiring, Mike Clabby and Jane Roletto.

Good reporting, girls.

Only in America

Foreign students at a party in Coeur d’Alene last week confessed that the American Christmas overwhelms them. It goes on forever. People buy and buy and buy and eat and eat and eat.

The Swedish and Hungarian kids are used to a simpler holiday - one night of feasting and sparkling lights. Kids from the Balkan countries and Mexico focus on Jan. 6, the day the three wise men came.

Japan’s holiday tradition is closest to ours, even though it’s mostly a non-Christian country. The Japanese celebrate the new year with hordes of gifts, food and partying. At least two students feel right at home this year …

Happy holidays

I hope faces light up somewhere tonight and Christmas Day because of you. I’m starting a week of vacation, so mine’s glowing. But I’d like to come back to some mail.

Scribble some thoughts for the new year to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; send a fax to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo