President’s Pen December 2011

“Tis the season to be…”?  This phrase from “Deck the Walls” is probably familiar with almost all of you as it is played or sung over and over again, often starting right on November 1^st!  But, what is it you find in actually reflecting on said verse(s) within your own family at this holiday season?  Year after year, I, and hope you as well, struggle to not get caught up in the meaningless media frenzy of what “The Gift” to purchase for someone in our family or amongst friends.  The meaning of this holiday season…dare I say…Christmas season…is not in what we purchase, but in the giving of what cannot be wrapped up to those who mean so much to our hearts.  This gift is different in the way it is expressed to one another as fellow military spouses.  I am sure you know already that I write of the most beloved gift of giving of ourselves to each other in unconditional friendship.  Yes, it is the season to be jolly in giving thanks for those friendships.  But, we all know that it is often not so jolly when a loved one is TDY at not just this season, but away at birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, births and friends who move at a moments notice.  Encouraging one another in these times is the gift I hope each of you will give to those around you.  May you have a blessed holiday season, whether staying close to home or traveling far.

“If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.” - Author Unknown

“Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don't quite know how to put our love into words.” - Harlan Miller

Thanks to each of you for your support of not just the OSC, but to our thrift shop, to the artisan showcase, to baking, to volunteering your time with a board chair and so many other areas we can serve within our community.  I wish all the happiest of holiday celebrations.  Look forward to seeing you in the new year.

With grateful appreciation,

David Allen

The mere hint of fall in the air, especially here in the San Antonio area, is a welcome relief from the record setting drought and temperatures we have all experienced. As the seasons begin to move, we also move, as the ROSC, into the new membership year that is upon us.
And the most important of all our charitable functions for the year is our Deep in the Arts of Texas Artisan Showcase event on October 8th. Our showcase chair, Sheila Richardson, has worked long and hard, with of course many others following her lead, in bringing this showcase to fruition. Even at this late date, we know if you are willing to step forward and volunteer, we could use your help. Look to the flier inside to know whom to contact. Come support not only our volunteer board and members, but the vendors as well. Come see what you might find as possible gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Hope to see you there!

If you missed the September luncheon, you missed a fun-filled, as well as laughter-filled, day of “sporting” events! Who knew holding dice on a popsicle stick between your teeth for eight seconds or more could be so difficult? Or to try and hike a football without it getting stuck in your dress…hilarious! Cathy Cyhaniukand Kimberly Kublie made it a great program, and Ilook forward to the event this month...Pink Ribbon Bunco...in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “We are continually faced with great opportunities which are brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems.” People with cancer often turn their disease into great opportunities. Many people use their cancer to reach
out to others in need and still others find a way to finally let others reach out to them. Very often, cancer changes people for the better even when things couldn’t look much worse. If you know someone fighting cancer, find a quote which will lift their spirits. It may just make their day.
For this month’s luncheon, I will have something “pink” to wear to support my fellow female members. At least at this function, the dice will hopefully stay on the table and not in our shirts...for those who sat at my table last month!

 
May you all have a blessed month as we look to see the return of rain and the colors unbound in the making of friends within our membership. God bless each of you.
~ David Allen