Amarillo Family Loses Husband, Father

This is a frustrating time of year.  Morally.  Spiritually.  Secularly.  The long lines made up by those seeking ideal gifts for friends and family.

The traffic, foot and auto, leading to and from the mall and other popular shopping spots.  The rage and anger borne because of it.  Rents, utilities and other financial obligations being put off in exchange for added spending money.  Credit cards getting hammered.  Social Media memes featuring images of Jesus asking you to “Share” to let Him in.  Posts arguing the point, “It’s Merry Christmas, not happy holidays.”

And through it all, those who otherwise see past the needy, are selectively deaf to ecumenical needs or simply have no interest in helping others, become emotional posers; presenting themselves as kind and caring.  They smile a little easier.  Speak and move a little slower and with purpose.  Some go out of their way to make sure you notice them and their kindness.

Why?  The time to apply for a job is not when it becomes open.  Shouldn’t we be the person we want to be seen as all year long?  Perhaps as individuals, our personalities change with the times.  Yet, if we have learned nothing is recent years, it should be that collectively, we are an amazing community.  We are Amarillo.  We are quick to volunteer, donate and contribute in times of need, abroad as well as here at home.

Members of our community need us now.

Just last Tuesday, Matthew Hutchison, a 37-year-old husband and father of three girls, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurism.  Hutchison was a 13-year veteran of the Amarillo Globe-News.  His friends and family say he was drawn to those who, like him, overcame difficult situations and discovered honesty and decency far outweighed the alternative.

While so many chase the false meaning of this season, the Hutchison family will be dealing with memory of burying a husband, a father far too soon while trying to make sure the little girls still have Christmas.  The expenses will be great.  The memories this time of year will bring during Christmases yet to come, something few of us will ever know.  If you would like to help, you can do so by way of a GoFundMe page.  www.gofundme.com/matthewhutchison.

Sure, there are myriad other fine events and causes worthy of your financial or material gift.  Respectfully, they also get plenty of mention.  I just wanted you to be aware of this one.

Listen, if you really don’t have the money but still feel called to help, you can always give of your time.  Serve meals.  Read to seniors.  Shop for the physically incapable.  Smile when you want to swear.  Go ahead, try it.

Still thinking of robbing Peter (paying your bills) to pay Paul (buy gifts)?  Remember, Romans 13:8 tells us, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”