The true meaning of Christmas

In November I signed up to write a 50,000-word novel in honor of National Novel Writing Month. By November 30, still struggling at 32,000 words away, I fell short of the goal. As a short story writer, the objective proved to be more difficult than I realized; however, during the process I made a wonderful discovery.

The story I chose to tell is about a young man who enlists in the Army. As the characters came alive in my mind and I began my research, I realized I didn’t know enough about the Army to write believable scenes. To help me, I visited an Army recruiter who graciously provided answers to my most likely inane questions. Because of our conversations, over time I became impressed by what the Army teaches its soldiers and wanted to help the lonely kids who are now fighting for their lives in Iraq.

About this time, quite by chance, in a writer’s newsletter I receive, recipients were urged to send “care” packages to soldiers serving throughout the world. To do this easily, the newsletter article suggested contacting http://www.AnySoldier.com, a Web site originated by a former soldier and his parents. “What a good idea,” I thought, then clicked on the site and began to read. I learned I could send a variety of packages on my own – for which the site provides copious instruction – or choose to have them do it for me. I selected the latter. Although the Web site is entitled “AnySoldier,” and a package can be sent anonymously in that way, people may select a recipient for their package by choosing a name from thousands listed by military service branch or alphabetized by last name.

“Hmmm… Let’s see if there are any ‘Bates’ on the list.” I quickly scrolled down the names starting with B. “Aha! Three ‘Bates’ listed!” Individuals provide a little personal information and explain what they need for themselves or for their soldiers. I chose a Master Sergeant Bates, who works at a military hospital in Baghdad, selected two hygiene care packages that suited his needs, paid for them by credit card and clicked “Send.” I then composed a brief letter introducing my Bates family and mailed it. That was on November 22.

On December 8, a card arrived from Master Sergeant Bates containing a poignant message of thanks. I read it over and over and began to picture the man in khaki, shoulders slumped in exhaustion, sitting at a desk in that Baghdad hospital writing the message on the card, the stench of blood and alcohol and scorched cotton in his nose, listening to the soft padding of rubber heels on the linoleum floor outside his office door. At that moment I realized the insignificance of the hassle of holiday activities, the decorating, the baking, the parties and the dreaded “what” to get “whom,” because for me, this card expressed the true meaning of Christmas.

Will the master sergeant be in my story, you might be thinking? Maybe. But maybe not. I write fiction, and he’s too real for me now.

If you want to make a soldier’s holiday brighter this year like I did, contact http://www.AnySoldier.com.