Home Alone for the Holidays, But It's OK

In just 48 short hours, Foster and I will get to get take down those stockings that should be filled with dingos, rawhides, snausages and the like! OK...so it'll be 72 hours since Dads have left us with the friendly woman to look after us while they visit some of our family.

Now before you go saying "how in the hell could you leave Arlie with that big beast Foster?" chill out a bit. In this year of many troubles and heartaches for so many Americans, Foster and I are just fine. We have a nice home, big backyard, a sucker dad in Ed who treat shops at least twice a week, and family and friends who make life worth living. So as we wait an extra day to get at those stockings, I want to ask each of you and my fans who you forward my blogs to think of others who are suffering this holiday season. A poor economy, job losses mounting, an unsafe world and still having to wait for Michelle's husband to start righting the ship have left many not feeling too good about this holiday. So I will leave you with the words of one of my favorite artists, Jewel, and her song "Hands" -- because we can all make a difference and as she states so simply "in the end, only kindness matters."

Happy Holidays my friends. Arlie, Foster, Ed and Steve wish you the best for 2009!

"Hands"

If I could tell the world just one thingIt would be that we're all OK

And not to worry 'cause worry is wastefulAnd useless in times like theseI won't be made useless

I won't be idle with despairI will gather myself around my faith

For light does the darkness most fearMy hands are small, I know

But they're not yours, they are my ownBut they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoesIt didn't steal your laughter

And heartache came to visit meBut I knew it wasn't ever afterWe'll fight, not out of spite

For someone must stand up for what's right'Cause where there's a man who has no voice

There ours shall go singingMy hands are small I knowBut they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my ownI am never broken

In the end only kindness matters In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will prayI will get down on my knees, and I will pray

I will get down on my knees, and I will prayMy hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my ownBut they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never brokenMy hands are small I knowBut they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my ownAnd I am never brokenWe are never broken
We are God's eyes God's hands God's mindWe are God's eyesGod's hands God's heart

We are God's eyesGod's handsGod's eyesWe are God's handsWe are God's hands