Opinion Line (Dec. 25)

It’s plain to see that the closer to Christmas it is, the nicer people are. It would be nice if people could remember it’s OK to be nice during the year, too.

I’m a bell ringer. I just want to say “thank you” to all who have donated. It goes to a worthy cause. I’d also like to thank those who have either bought me coffee or offered it. To those who haven’t been nice to us: Shame.

Happy Holidays, and by that I mean Merry Christmas.

It’s Christmas. No complaining allowed.

Pope Paul VI was right: Paradise is open to all God’s creatures. But that’s no guarantee that all creatures will get to enter. Remember, Santa isn’t the only one watching to see whether we’re naughty or nice.

It’s a Christmas miracle: Our two Kansas senators reveal plans to work with the president on something – reducing trade barriers with Cuba. Maybe there is reason to hope after all. Thank you, senators.

I have so enjoyed the various Secret Santa stories of wealthy businesspeople who have passed out money anonymously. To me, that is a genuine gift of sharing their wealth.

One of my favorite Christmas memories was when Mom asked her Dad to shorten the tree she bought by 2 feet. He did. He took 2 feet off of the top. He had a knack for getting out of future requests. The look on her face was priceless.

On Dec. 3 in the drive-up lane at McDonald’s, the person ahead of me in a dark-colored SUV paid for my breakfast. That kind and generous act was a real upper. I passed the kindness on.

Kudos to the young people and staff the Wichita Riding Academy for surprising the critically ill woman by bringing the farm animals to her home and singing carols. What a wonderful holiday story.

To the kind woman who helped me at the Warren Theatres on 13th Street when my daughter suddenly became ill: She is fine and we truly thank you.

Thank you to the people who were so kind to me on Dec. 12. I was overwhelmed when the waiter told me that my lunch had been paid for. Nothing like that had ever happened to me.

For the kind folks who paid our bill at the Village Inn on West Central. Many thanks, We will pay your generosity forward.

I was shopping at Wal-Mart on East Kellogg on Dec. 11. A lady came up and said she would pay for me. I couldn’t believe what I heard. So thank you, dear lady. I hope you see this. God bless you.

This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Opinion Line (Dec. 25)."