Christmas at Jim's Place

[2:02:34 PM] judymaysmith: In a world that seems to be tired and disillusioned …. Christmas at Jim’s Place shows that miracles and imagination are always out there looking for an opportunity to create new directions and new ways to connect. [2:02:51 PM] judymaysmith: It’s time to infuse a new generation with an appetite for adventure, ambition, acceptance, kindness. So often we speak of how each person can make a difference. Now it's time to build on the power of community and the genius of collaboration and excitement. [2:06:14 PM] judymaysmith: Jim put his hand on the door and hesitated. He was so excited that he could hardly breathe. Yesterday it had looked perfect. He could hardly imagine that it could get any finer. “Go inside,” Kelvin urged him gently, and Jim pushed the handle down and stepped into the room. For about five minutes, he didn’t say a word. In fact he held his breath so long that Uncle Joe had to remind him to breathe out or he might have forgotten to do so. “It’s beautiful,” he said quietly. “Just beautiful. It’s magic, Kelvin, that’s what it is. I guess I’m the luckiest kid in New York City right now.” He didn’t see the handkerchiefs behind him as he walked up and down the huge room touching things very softly, turning around and around to make sure he saw everything. Nor did he see the tear made its way down Ma’s cheek, as he folded his hands gratefully, his mouth round with surprise, his eyes twinkling with joy. “Where is Mrs. Hanover now?” Miss Turner asked carefully. Uncle Joe glanced around to make sure that Jim was not close by and lowered his voice so that the guests at the table had to listen carefully to hear what he was saying. His face was tight and pale and within seconds, soft gasps and pale faces mirrored the unhappy look on his own. He cautioned them to be quiet and not draw attention to themselves and for once he was in charge instead of them. It was not a position he enjoyed given the circumstances, and the look on his face attracted Ma’s attention. She hurried over to see if there was a problem that needed fixing. She was in time to hear the last bit of the conversation and bite down hard on her lip, as Uncle Joe stuttered to an unhappy stop. [2:06:55 PM] judymaysmith: Excerpt “A few years ago,” Ogilvy continued, “New York discovered that it could survive a disaster. When the twin towers were destroyed, many of us lost friends and family, but we learned kindness and sharing and how to pull together. Jim’s mother was in that building.” Parents leaned forward, listening intently. This was something that had affected them all, one way or another. Mr. Olanthus stopped as the children swung round and looked towards the back of the room.