Making the 24 Count

I heard an interesting bit of news on the radio this morning.  President and Mrs. Obama are scheduled to host 24 holiday parties in the month of December.  That doesn't include the parties and galas they will attend rather than host.  24 parties.  I picture Michelle running into her over sized closet, frantically stripping off her gown and throwing it to the side so she can grab the next gown hanging on the satin hangar, clearly marked for the evening's event.  Her down-do turns into a quick up-do, new pumps are donned, and a new diamond necklace clasps behind her neck.  With a quick nod to the mirror, she grabs her wrap and briskly walks down toward the front corridor to greet her next set of guests. Two parties down, and maybe one more to go...and that's just one day. 

The holidays are a great time to celebrate family, friends, culture, and yes maybe even political ideals for some.  And while some may think 24 parties in one month sounds glamorous, I can't help but wonder if they even enjoy the events.  Do they really invest in the people they've invited into their big white home?  Do they find joy in picking the fancy menus and the presidential china it will be served upon?  Do their faces get tired from all of the sincere or insincere smiling?  How many clammy hands have they shaken as they greet their nervous guests?

I found myself wondering all this and more just from the simple radio story this morning.  I wondered what might happen if the President opted to host 24 unaired charities in the month of December.  What might happen if Michelle arrived to a shelter and distributed gifts to battered women and their children?  What would happen if President Obama sat in on a business lesson at the New York State Penitentiary where prisoners are trying to set their lives straight with education?  What would happen if the Obamas opened the White House to a couple dozen orphans and played White Christmas in their living room?

And then my random thoughts, now half way to work, wandered to my own responsibility during this season.  Why is it I felt like the Presidential family had an obligation for social justice and service, but my own name never came to mind?  I sit here tonight reminded that anyone can donate their love, time, and funds to someone less fortunate.  It may mean giving your hot leftovers to a homeless man curled into a fetal position on the frozen sidewalk.  It may look like sending a shoebox full of toiletries and toys to Africa.  It may require time behind a food line, spooning warm soup into metal bowls.  What I'm trying to say, in once again way too many words, is that anyone can serve. 

We may not all host 24 parties, but we do all have 24 days in December before Christmas comes.  It's what we do with those days that counts.