Christmas Special Delivery
Oh good. You made it. You’re here for the holidays. I’m so happy to see you. Glad you chose to visit Shady Pines Story Town during this lovely and hectic time of year. 
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you.
Look around. What do you see? It’s magical isn’t it? Why the Christmas decorations, festive twinkling lights and symbols of holiday cheer greet you everywhere you go.
But wait. Beyond the Ho-Ho-Ho jolly side of things, there’s more going on than you know. The most important messages this season come from the heart.
What do I mean? Let’s find out. Here’s our mail delivery gal who will be our guide.
A Holiday Juggling Act
Watch out! Oh, no! Whoa!
The amount of holiday mail is unbelievable. I’m Kim Dunworthy and I work for the Shady Pines post office. No kidding. We have our hands full – literally! Getting everything delivered on time is a real challenge. But we’re up to it.
Here’s the best part. Everyone knows we live in difficult times. But while I’m out making deliveries, I talk to our neighbors. This year, more than most, they’re counting their blessings.
All The News 
Take Zulah Talmadge for example. Our hard working editor of The Shady Pines Gazette is out reporting nearly every day. Small town newspapers are having a hard time making ends meet financially. We all do our best to support The Gazette. Zulah thinks it’s important for our tight knit community to know what’s going on. That way we can help one another if someone is in need.
Why that’s just being neighborly, right? When I delivered the mail to her office yesterday she told me about all the people who have sent her holiday cards and thanked her for doing such a good job. It really makes her feel good. Isn’t that nice? She says she’s so grateful.
Get The Scoop
The same thing could be said for Scoop the Cub Reporter. That red headed teenager goes above and beyond the call of duty. I see him out reporting in all sorts 
of weather – hot or cold – making sure our neighbors stay safe. After a big storm, there he is telling us about power outtages and clean up efforts.
Other times he’s over at the Shady Pines Elementary School letting us know about a special teacher who’s being honored or a student who did something really kind.
Sometimes he and Zulah are down at Town Hall letting us know what the mayor has in mind for road repairs or other improvements around town. Why, I once saw him interviewing a group of folks who didn’t want the big oak tree on Main Street to be torn down.
He’s says he’s so lucky to be a reporter.
Scoop 
feels it’s a privilege to make sure people feel their voices are being heard.
His Honor
Of course, the most influential voice in town is that of Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs. He’s quite a character. I asked him the other day as I was dropping off a package what he likes about being mayor.
He thought for a moment. Then he told me that serving others is a wonderful way to spend each day. He said it’s not the big speeches or the parades that matter. 
He feels good when he can do something to improve the life of a person or a family in need.
He showed me some of the notes, texts, and emails he received from folks following a recent food drive. After reading some of them, I see what he means.
Centered Activities
Over at the Community Center I drop off a whole stack of mail for Rita Mallena. As the center’s director, she’s been busy updating activities. She especially proud of Friday Project Day. That’s when the adults and kids from the elementary school next door work on an activity together. It brings the generations together.
Rita says she’s had help from an army of volunteers. By coordinating with the school she’s been able to keep kids entertained and engaged in ways she would never have thought up on her own.
I think I saw tears in her eyes as she explained how grateful she is to everyone who has helped her this year.
What a Doggone Year
I know the Sanders family will have a thing or two to say. As I park in front of their home on Dogwood Drive across from Copy Cat Lane, I hear voices shouting and laughing. I open the latch to the gate and join the family in the back yard.
Harold and Edna are playing with their dog, Boomerang who holds onto his bone with all his might. Their cat, Halley’s Comet, sits on the picnic table trying to ignore them.
I hand them a fistful of envelopes and ask how they’re doing. Harold says he pays more attention to the things he normally takes for granted. He says he’s filled with gratitude to have the love and support of friends, family, and customers of his Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store.
Edna says she’s found new purpose volunteering with the ‘Give A Kid A Coat’ campaign.
Mostly, they say, they have more tolerance and compassion knowing that people are dealing with a lot of stuff these days.
Parting Holiday Wish
That’s the thing. We all may feel isolated at times during the holidays; even depressed. I know I’ve had days when I thought, “I feel kinda down today. I don’t know why.” And, we don’t always know what other people are going through, do we? Here’s a video about taking time to say thank you from the sensational Grammy Award-winning vocal group Pentatonix called, THANK YOU.
So as I finish up my rounds today, I want to deliver this message that my mom told to me. Take time to cherish the people in your life. Time is precious. Count your blessings and be thankful for the good things you do have. Be kind, even when it’s hard. Give people the benefit of the doubt and hope they will do the same for you.
Oh, no. Speaking of time, I running late. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Hope you drop by again soon!
Shady Pines reminds us what’s really important at Christmas . Thank you
These Shady Pines stories just make me feel good. And right now that is so important
What a wonderful way to end the year in Shady Pines! I’ve been reading about all these characters for so long now they feel like old friends and I wish them all Merry Christmas. Hats off to their creator…the original resident of the Pines, Mary Jane!
Jerry that is so kind. Thank you for your comment!
Wonderful post. Great message
Thank you for this reminder to slow down and count our blessings. Even in the most difficult times there are always things to be thankful for. Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you Martha for your comment!
Kindness Matters and Count Your Blessings – the clear message of this holiday greeting. It is so important to remember things like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, don’t judge and find ways to lift others up! Thank you, Shady Pines, for another meaningful post ❤️💚
Very well said Nancy. Thank you!
You make a huge impact with your message about kindness. Thanks for your loving words.
Susan thank you for your comment. really appreciate it!
Positive, uplifting and a pleasure to read, as always! Thank you, Mary Jane and Merry Christmas!
Thank you Candy. Glad you liked it it. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for all yo do, Shady Pines (and Mary Jane).
You’re so welcome. And thank you for your comment Sndi!
I also like to thank you for Pentatonix’s song. When did they start incorporating musical instruments? I thought that they are an acapella group. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sunny
Thank you Sunny. Occasionally Pentatonix does incorporate instruments. Their beat boxer plays the cello – while beat boxing. And their latest Christmas album has songs dedicated to some old standards and they use instruments on those tracks too
What a welcome relief from all the negative. This needs to go national. More people should hear about the wonderful characters of this little town
Thank you Jim. That is really kind of you!
Very well done. Keep ’em coming
Shady Pines Story Town is a wonderful place even though it’s fiction. Wish my community was like this
Don’t we all? Thank you Sharon
What a pleasure to get a Shady Pines story in my inbox. This one really hit the mark
There seems to be a shortage of kindness these days. But not in Shady Pines. Your stories always make me feel better
This is wonderful. I want to live in Shady Pines. Thanks for the smile1
I too can get overwhelmed with getting ready for the holidays. You made me remember I’m lucky not to be working and have the extra time to try to get it all done! Thank you! And I also am appreciative of my mail carrier and UPS driver!
Thank you for the shout out to the mail carrier and UPS driver. We all need to appreciate them this time of year!
Thanks for the link to the Pentatonix. They are fabulous!!!
Thank you for another year of Shady Pines kindness. Happy holidays!
Thank you Sheri!
What a great reminder to slow down and count your blessings. The people of Shady Pines are definitely feeling the Christmas spirit.
Thank you Tammy!
This made me reflect on my many blessings. I have many. Thank you
Thank you for your comment Elaine!
Oh I really enjoyed this story. I need to send it to my daughter who has two children 7 and 8. They need to learn about kindness and caring
I thoroughly enjoy every installment of “Shady Pines Story Town.” Thank you for sharing your positive messages throughout the year!
Thank you so much Amy!
Your posts always have a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message and the li k to “Thank you” performance.
Glad you liked the message Teresa and the “Thank You” video
Great message – Great vibe !!
Thank you so much Frank!
I was hoping for a Christmas post that focused on something positive. So needed right now
I needed this right now. Shady Pines posts always give me a lift
What a wonderful message. I liked the Thank you song too. Merry Christmas
Thank you for the positive messages. We can certainly use them these days. Merry Christmas!
You are so welcome!