[Culturechat] A thought about gifts

[Vance Roy]

  Barbara and I were trying to decide about gifts for some of our 
friends and relatives who have every thing the other day. In a blaze of 
genius (something more and more unusual for me), the idea of a donation 
in their names came to me. Now, I have done this on occasions before 
but mostly for the family of a dead person. OK, why not do it for a 
live one? Barbara gets the credit for suggesting the Idyll Foundation, 
an idea conceived and cared for by Hal and a board of advisors for some 
years now.

This is not an advertisement for the foundation or Idyll, think what 
you wish. To find out more about this project that is so dear to Hal's 
heart, I got a brochure from him. Over the years, he and I had talked 
about some of his work. I knew that Hal himself, goes to some mighty 
poor and destitute areas of the USA and the world, in order to shepherd 
some of the benefits that the foundation provides to some people who 
are worse than dirt poor. When we all have so much more than the rest, 
it makes me feel mighty good to give back a little.

I realize that a lot of folks who read this won't have a clue about 
this "foundation". So be it.  Those of you who do, and especially those 
who know Hal, might give it a thought. Maybe this old hat to some of 
you. I have learned by experience that Hal sits down and writes a 
personal acknowledgement to the person(s) honored by the donation. That 
really blew some of my recipients away in this day of computer 
generated letters.

Hal will likely be embarrassed by this, but it is a nice idea, we are 
glad that we did it, and we will repeat this for birthdays, etc. from 
now on. Hal would never suggest this on the chats, but most people know 
that my mouth is never far from open. If a lot of you already do this, 
remember that I was always a late bloomer.

Before I forget, Merry Christmas!!! (I still say it that way)


Vance Roy
gigli.saw@dplanet.ch
http://homepage.mac.com/fredch