Chicago, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Stanley

Dena and I are in Chicago this weekend, and we just spent some time walking around the city. While we wandered around, we found ourselves in the Hard Rock Hotel lobby. After a tour of some of their rooms, we decided to make our way back to our own. But on the way, we were interrupted by an extremely unorthodox Santa figure named Stanley, who helped us cross the street, wished us happy holidays, and asked (after warning us that some people had been upset by the upcoming question) if we had any change to spare.

What struck me most about our exchange with Stanley was how good it made me feel - not to give to someone who was asking for money - but to treat a person with the dignity they deserve regardless of their appearance.

So whether you have a little or a lot this season, may you connect with another person in a real way, and may relationships be built (or rebuilt) that change lives in positive, meaningful ways. Happy holidays!