A Christmas Appeal

Back in ancient times, when I didn't have to think about the Roman Empire but actually visited there, I moved from Kansas to California after getting my engineering degree. As you might imagine, the transition was difficult. I didn't know anyone in the Bay Area and I had all the stereotypical social skills of an engineer. I made a few friends at work and at church, but for most of that first decade, my weekend social life was watching ESPN alone while eating too much snack food. Christmas was the worst, particularly when I couldn't travel to be with family. Thanksgivings actually weren't too bad because I could usually find a friend to take pity on me and invite me over. It's harder to do that for Christmas because Christmas usually involves lots of gift-giving and similar activities. Engaging a total stranger in such activities is asking a lot. Christmas invites didn't happen much.

With that in mind, I have a request. If you happen to know people in that situation, give them a call or a visit. It doesn't have to be an engineer. Maybe you know someone who's a librarian or an accountant, and you suspect that they might be stuck alone over Christmas. You don't even have to talk to them on Christmas Day. Just contact them during the holidays and find out how they are doing. Ask a few questions. Make sure they are okay. Tell them a little about how you are doing so they can get out of the self-pity mode for a few seconds. Let them know you are available if they need to talk.

They will appreciate it more than they'll ever tell you. Because they're engineers. They can't tell you.

Merry Christmas!