Many a year ago I saw a TV ad sponsored by a long distance carrier showing a lone, middle-aged black mother was busy decorating Christmas ornaments in her parlor, and then the phone was ringing; no sooner had she heard from other end a low but audible voice, "Merry christmas, mom.", than the mother beamed with great pleasure and her eyes started to moisten.  (You know what happened next: the scene faded away, and the name of the ad sponsor loomed.)

See?  Simply a call may have been the biggest comfort to your parents.  They may not need your financial assistance or any other helps; maybe all they need is to know whether you're safe and sound, are you doing ok, and to know you're caring about them, that's it.  So why not give them a call and show that you care.  Hey, guys, I bet every one of you has a cell phone, or even a smart phone.  So spend less time on games, and give your parents a call!

On Chistmans Day, 2012