REPRESENTATIVE TERRY BROWN
Holiday Story

Whenever I can make time, I love to go to one of our great schools in Huron or Tuscola counties and read to children. One of my favorite books is "Stone Soup."

I'm sure you remember it. One day a hungry stranger came to a village. He asked for food, but the villagers hid theirs and said no. That's OK, he said – I will make a tasty stone soup. He proceeded to boil a pot of water with a stone in it. One by one, the curious villagers brought a vegetable, or a piece of meat, or a seasoning and soon the whole village feasted on a wonderful meal.

"Stone Soup" offers some great lessons. And a question: What are we willing to contribute to the soup? Because let's face it, there are a lot of folks whose pots are pretty empty these days.

People across the Thumb and all across Michigan are really hurting – hurting like never before. If, like in the book, we each gave a little, we would be able to take care of our whole community.

Giving is at the heart of the holidays. Efforts to give to others increase around Christmas, with wonderful projects like gathering gifts for our servicemembers who are so far away from their families overseas. Or holding food drives to replenish the pantries that keep hunger at bay for struggling families. Or "adopting" at-risk children to buy presents for so that no child goes without on Christmas morning.

I am proud to live in – and represent – communities with such thoughtful and generous people! Even in tough times like these, we never forget about those who are less fortunate than us; about those who could use a hand or a bit of cheering up.

The best thing about Thumb communities is that we do not wait for the holidays or a crisis to show our concern for our neighbors in need. We do it all the time, because it's part of who we are. It's part of being grateful for all that we have, even when we don't have very much.

So, when you look around and ask yourself, "What can I contribute to the soup?" remember that it doesn't have to be money or a fancy present or even food, if you're not in a position to give that right now. You can contribute time – tutoring or volunteering or praying or visiting with those who need company. And you can contribute hope, the most important ingredient of all.

Because, despite the naysayers, the book of Michigan is not finished. Tomorrow is a new page, and it's ours to write. Supporting each other, giving whatever we can as we work together to make it through these tough times, spreading hope instead of doom…All these are part of the plot that I believe will lead us to a Michigan with more good jobs, stronger schools and affordable health care – all the things that every Michigan resident deserves.

By the way, in "Stone Soup," one of the villagers tried to buy the magic stone from the stranger, but he wouldn't sell it. On his way out of town, he ran into a group of kids from the village, and he gave the stone to the youngest child. He told the kids a secret: It wasn't the stone that had performed the magic – it was the villagers.

Happy holidays, my fellow villagers.

State Representative Terry Brown represents the 84th District (Huron and Tuscola counties). To contact him, call (888) 254-5284 or e-mail terrybrown@house.mi.gov. To sign up for his e-newsletter, please visit his Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.