Well, it's December 17th - a week until Christmas Eve. I don't know about you, but I can't believe how quickly this past year has gone! So much has happened in all our lives that I won't even attempt to capture that. What is most important, however, is the very strong sense of family within our club. We might all be AMC Nuts, but once we get together, it's the people who matter most.
There has been so much senseless violence in the world (most recently the hostage-taking in Sydney, Australia where two innocents were killed, and over 148 students and teachers in Pakistan by terrorists). I realize this is "just" a car club and as such it's not part of our mandate to comment on these events. However, we are also humans on this planet and we can't exist in a bubble. We have little to no control over what happens to others but we can influence our own corner of the world. Regardless of your religious leanings, there is a universal truth - the Golden Rule. Each religion has its own version but the basic idea is - DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU. Today is the start of Hanukkah, next week is Christmas. It's a great opportunity for all of us to pause, reflect on the fortunes of our own lives and to pass a little good will onto everyone we meet. It might only be in a smile, holding a door open for a stranger, donating unwanted belongings to your local charity for those who don't have much, but if we all started doing this - imagine what an amazing world it could be.
So, from our AMC family to each of you, have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or however you celebrate this season!
All my best,
Barb van der Veen, your Website Editor