I'm convinced Chicken Little was the model Ted Turner used to start CNN. What better focus group for what has become the world's leading pervayor of fear, than some chicken who always ran around claiming the sky was falling.

 Again.

All we hear about is how mis-directed  our youth is. When I was growing up it was called "being a teenager." These days it has become "evil incarnate." Kids are so self absorbed no one believes they will become anything other than miscreants, thieves, rapists, and murderers (unless they go into politics... then they're just "successful.")

Those of you who read my November 11 posting know that my Uncle Jim died in World War II. The letters he wrote back to his family were consistent in their praise of the Salvation Army. They were there in the trenches with them, handing out food, and dry clothing. He always, always said "if you support any charity ever... make sure it's the Salvation Army." So in his memory my wife and our two daughters always volunteer at the Sally Ann Christmas ball in the mall in our  town. You've seen the people standing there, ringing their annoying bells, thanking you when you drop a dollar or a few coins into the ball. That's us.

We live in what used to be a small town but has now become synonimous with "wealth." When people hear you're from Oakville they automatically paint you with a different brush. Snob... bitch... Gucci are all words that are bandied around. In high school if you're not wearing Abercrombie, or American Eagle, or Coach then you are ridiculed.

So imagine my surprise on the weekend, when we were doing our first shift on The Ball. A full 35% (don't ask how I got that number. It was very scientific and didn't involve any (well "many", anyway) live sacrafices) of the people who dropped in money were between the ages of 16 and 25. Another 30% were under 16. This made me want to weep with joy. These kids not only get it... they are willing to do something about it.

At a time that is difficult for many, and so full of joy for so many more, it made my heart sing. The sky is not falling. It is being held up by some very strong and capable hands.