Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A message from your Desktop Publishing Editor

This is a traditional period for many, the time in the year where people make their decisions for the future, make wishes of goodwill for themselves and others, think at the presents for friends and family. Some people consider that Christmas has become a commercial thing, but no one can deny that during this period people are often more united, go out of their way to do acts of care for each other and share nice moments they will remember for years.

There are some, however, who will remember this period for years, but not necessarily for all the nice things that happened to them. My heart goes to those who were victim of the Tsunami last year, the day after Christmas. They certainly didn’t have much of a Christmas present (whether they have Christmas or not). However some people will remember the time when they conquered the fear of the sea that had started since the sad event, or they’ll recall who took their hand and brought them somwhere safe when they thought they lost everything. If they have something nice to remember, it’s because of those who helped them and many have helped, also from outside the areas of the Tsunami.

Let’s not forget the people in New Orleans where the situation is certainly not yet resolved. Despite criticisms about these situations, despite what people think should have been done and so on, I’d like to remember this year not for the bad that happened, but for the good that has generated. For the responses of those who decided to help, for the way people united to help those in need, without closing our eyes to what has happened, of course.

And I’d like to remember it for the time I have laughed with my friends, for the times I shared with them and somehow have those who were hit remember that they also experienced some good in life and they can do it again and have to move on. It might be an easy thing to say, but it must be done.

The purpose of this message isn’t to make anybody feel sad, but if you ever thought: “I wish the unity and warmth of Christmas was the same all year long”, I just want to remind you that that unity and warmth are in you all the time. You express or experience it at different times, in times when you or others are in need, but there is no reason to wait for those times. Remember this—always.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.