The holidays are a busy time of year for most folks. There are cards to mail and gifts to buy and parties to attend. It can be difficult, at times, to find the time to remember what the season is really all about.

The Lee family &045; mom Marlina and her four children, LaShun, 12, Tachavious, 10, Travonn, 8, and Zemeria, 5 &045; found the time, though. They really didn’t have much choice in the matter. Their Jeff Davis Avenue house burned down sometime during the morning hours of Dec. 1.

Suddenly, the Lees found the time for a lot of things they hadn’t planned on this holiday season. Things like wondering where they would sleep that night and what they would eat the next day and where they would find clothes to wear. The Lees lost everything they owned in that fire &045; everything except their lives.

Thankfully, no one was injured. The children had spent the night at the home of their grandmother, Stephanie Walters. A wise woman, Walters told the children, &uot;Yes, we lost everything, but thank the Lord you’re still alive.&uot;

That’s where the story begins to take on a brighter hue.

Students, teachers and parents at Calrk Elementary and Selma Middle CHAT Academy, where the Lee children attend, donated books, clothes and supplies. Members of Walters’ church and her co-workers and boss also pitched in. The folks at Johnson Paint and Body Shop heard about their plight and decided they wanted to help, too. Goodwill, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, helped with vouchers for food, furniture and clothing. All are to be

commended for their generosity of spirit.

Walters told the children, &uot;When you go through the hard times, the good times are more enjoyable.&uot;

Just maybe that’s what Christmas is really all about.