Someday at Christmas
Christmas is my favorite holiday. Something about the tradition and the season and all of the family togetherness makes me pretty emotional. For instance, I cannot listen to “Do you hear what I hear” without getting choked up. I have no idea why. Something about that song just gets me. Another song that generates a ton of emotion for me is “Someday at Christmas” by Stevie Wonder. Whenever I hear that song, I think of one of my neighbors in New Jersey, Tom McLeod.
Tom McLeod lived one house away from me for a good chunk of my life in New Jersey. He had a wonderful family. I used to baby-sit for his son, Thomas. Thomas was such a sweet and beautiful child. He had a wonderful sense of humor (directly from his parents, of course), he was very intelligent, and just had such a caring personality. I’m sure he still does. I haven’t seen him in many years. Actually, I think he has graduated from college by now. Tom’s wife, Linda was hysterical. I don’t think she could be serious for more than five minutes. She was one of those people who you wanted to talk to because you knew you would be laughing in minutes. I can remember my mother and Linda talking on our front step, or in the neighbor’s yard, or over coffee – and they would just laugh and laugh.
Tom was a special person. He was so down to earth. He was such a calm spirit and you knew that there was something to his calmness. It wasn’t put on. He was genuine. You knew that when he set out to do something, he was going to follow through. No matter how big or how small. He did everything with such precision and grace, but always with a sense of humor. He knew there were bigger things out there and he did what he could to make a difference.
Tom McLeod passed away after a long battle with cancer. One of the many legacies that will go on through his efforts is the Alma McLeod Foundation, a foundation named in honor of his mother that helps those less fortunate. Through his work, he has touched the lives of many people. Through his life, he has touched my heart and the hearts of many others.
Tom McLeod has been on my mind lately. I guess it’s the season. I guess its hearing that Stevie Wonder song. If you don’t know the words, read them below. I’m sure they can apply to someone who has touched your life. For me, they will always describe Tom McLeod.
Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free
Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas we'll see a Man
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care
Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shinning moment my heart ran away
From our world today
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Take hope because Your love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
Tom McLeod lived one house away from me for a good chunk of my life in New Jersey. He had a wonderful family. I used to baby-sit for his son, Thomas. Thomas was such a sweet and beautiful child. He had a wonderful sense of humor (directly from his parents, of course), he was very intelligent, and just had such a caring personality. I’m sure he still does. I haven’t seen him in many years. Actually, I think he has graduated from college by now. Tom’s wife, Linda was hysterical. I don’t think she could be serious for more than five minutes. She was one of those people who you wanted to talk to because you knew you would be laughing in minutes. I can remember my mother and Linda talking on our front step, or in the neighbor’s yard, or over coffee – and they would just laugh and laugh.
Tom was a special person. He was so down to earth. He was such a calm spirit and you knew that there was something to his calmness. It wasn’t put on. He was genuine. You knew that when he set out to do something, he was going to follow through. No matter how big or how small. He did everything with such precision and grace, but always with a sense of humor. He knew there were bigger things out there and he did what he could to make a difference.
Tom McLeod passed away after a long battle with cancer. One of the many legacies that will go on through his efforts is the Alma McLeod Foundation, a foundation named in honor of his mother that helps those less fortunate. Through his work, he has touched the lives of many people. Through his life, he has touched my heart and the hearts of many others.
Tom McLeod has been on my mind lately. I guess it’s the season. I guess its hearing that Stevie Wonder song. If you don’t know the words, read them below. I’m sure they can apply to someone who has touched your life. For me, they will always describe Tom McLeod.
Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free
Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas we'll see a Man
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care
Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shinning moment my heart ran away
From our world today
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Take hope because Your love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
