First Impressions are Worthless

You'd think that after 20 some odd years in this crazy world, I would've realized that my ability to judge people on first meet is clearly horrible. Well, think again. There I was, only a couple of days removed from my 22nd birthday, running around the food pantry already giving into my immature habits. There was this guy volunteering with us, looked like a rough and tough New Yorker- had a bluetooth headset, scarf, long black jacket, looked like a bouncer... you get the picture. That was enough for me to just assume what his personality would be like - abrasive- and I guessed that he was volunteering for a superficial reason.
Of course, I was wrong (otherwise this entry would make no sense). On our third day at the pantry, we had a Christmas dinner where presents were presented and dinner was dined. I had a chance to speak with this guy in the kitchen and slowly found out more about his life and, more importantly, everything that he did in addition to volunteering. He told me he was a stock trader, which didn't surprise me at all- he looked pretty well off, and that he has a lot of free time now because he can work from home. What he told me next was just simply amazing. You know how as a child, you'd write a wish list to Santa and send it in the mail to the 'North Pole.' Well, the Post Office collects all of these and puts them in a huge pile. This guy and his friend, an attorney, go pick the letters and divide them up between kids who are wishing for PS3s, XBox's and all of that stuff from kids who are wishing for gloves, beds, clothes, and socks among other items most of us would be, to put it lightly, not thrilled to get for Christmas. Then, they go out and buy most of this stuff (even the mattress sets which are pretty expensive) and pray that the return address on the letters is correct. On Christmas day, him and his friend play Santa and deliver the gifts to everyone by hand. Imagine having a letter written to the 'North Pole' answered as a child. Even as a non-Christian, I think I now understand the full nature of Christmas spirit. And moreover, I don't think I'll be judging anyone so quickly anytime soon.