Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Where I Stand — Columnist Mike O’Callaghan: Christmas is a day of recollection and giving

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

Dec. 25, 2003

Have you made that phone call back home to tell your family and friends to have a happy Christmas? Just hearing your voice will bring warmth and happiness to those who love you.

You don't have anybody to call here or across the country? Maybe taking a few minutes to visit with that old couple up the street would add some warmth to your own day. Just in case you know somebody in jail or in prison, you may find time to visit them and take a bit of that Christmas dessert you made.

The greatest gift many of us have is our family. Last week we received a Christmas card from my brother-in-law in California. It was signed Harry, not Harry and Rilla as it has been for 50 years because my younger sister died last summer. Just looking at that card gave me a hollow feeling and made my mind race back over the years. Our days on the farm working in the fields, her wedding announcement arriving during my last tour of duty overseas and her Harry leaving for his second tour of duty in Vietnam all came back into focus. This year he will be having Christmas dinner with their children and grandchildren. He is among the fortunate people having a family to be with today. Some people don't have that good fortune.

For some families death has arrived on Christmas week. This reminds us that death is one of the important parts of our lives. Why does it always seem that the people we lose this time of the year are some of our finest friends and neighbors? In our small community they don't have to live next door to be considered our neighbors.

Six days ago Jim Hogan passed away and took with him a history of giving and service to family, friends, community and nation. He not only served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he continued to serve us as an official with the Bureau of Land Management. He left behind a strong family and hundreds of good deeds and acts of kindness that made life better for all of us. Jim's wisdom was so much a part of his personality that he was a teacher in everyday conversations. Jim, who came to this valley as a young man in his early 20s, died at the age of 94.

Last Saturday another pioneer of Las Vegas Valley, Goldie Moran, left us to join her husband, the late Sheriff John Moran. Just being around Goldie was a pleasant experience. She had the ability to make every person feel wanted and valuable. She balanced a busy family life with her public life in a manner that everybody admired. Just a smile from Goldie could turn a dull political or charitable gathering into an evening to be remembered.

Yes, we are going to miss those who have left us during recent weeks and months. The passing of years has taught me that our community is still home to others who are willing to help make this a good place to live. For example, the voice of Father John McShane of Catholic Charities has replaced that of Franciscan Brother David Buer, who spoke for the homeless in recent years. Also Eileen Brookman, a voice for the poor and minorities in the Assembly for 18 years, still comes to their aid.

Probably not too many people have heard of Frank Perna, but hundreds of needy veterans have benefited from his hard work. Frank is not only an artist he is also a voice speaking for the homeless veterans.

More people have probably heard about Kathleen Boutin of Henderson because of her many civic accomplishments. She was the first person I heard who understood the special needs of homeless youth gathering in groups near UNLV. Kathleen is a young dynamic mother who has the ability to see problems and needs often ignored by her peers. She started the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and followed up with the Right to Shelter law.

Out in our streets with the homeless is Linda Lera-Randle El, comforting the needy, sick and dying. She is Straight From The Streets and is responsible for hundreds of homeless people surviving and many eventually becoming productive citizens.

We should all be appreciative for the work of Julia Occhiogrosso and her Catholic Workers as they feed the homeless. Her work continues year after year as she and her husband, Gary, raise two sons. Without their dedication this would have been a dismal world of despair for thousands of men, women and children.

As we settle down to enjoy our Christmas dinner, we can give thanks for those who have done so much for us before passing on to the next life. During the same dinner blessing we should also express our thanks for those people who are still with us carrying on the traditions started by the pioneers who made this a special place to live.

Don't forget to make that phone call or visit today.

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