Tom's temporary replacement.

I recently returned from a trip to find my office chair occupied by a large stuffed horse—an amusing reminder of the precarious nature of my job. Supplanted by a child’s toy—and I’m sure there are days when staff members prefer the horse!

Such playful moments ease the challenges for everyone here. Laughter’s a big part of the healing process. During the dark times (think winter in Oregon), it’s especially important to savor the light—and I’m amazed at the ability of our guests to do so. Of the 20,000 families we’ve hosted during my 13-year tenure, I’ve not heard a single one complain that they had it “the worst.”

I had a lovely conversation last week with a man whose daughter remains under medical care years after their stay here. “We’ve learned to take things day by day,” he observed at one point. “That’s all we can do,” I replied.

One day at a time. One smile, one laugh, one kind word, and one stuffed animal at a time. That’s really all any of us can do. Hopefully we will, whenever the opportunity arises.

Tom Soma, Executive Director

ServiceMaster of Portland raised more than $3,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington through promotions in 2011. The company provides residential and commercial cleaning and damage restoration services. They donate to RMHC each time a customer returns a customer service survey, and between September and December, they contributed $20 to RMHC for every water mitigation job. During the holiday’s this year, the Portland office also collected gifts to help families celebrate the season. We appreciate our partnership with ServiceMaster.

Click here to visit the ServiceMaster website.

Thank you to everyone who supported Ronald McDonald House Charities this holiday season. Whether you donated time, talent, or treasure, you helped bring the spirit of the season to our two Portland Houses. We wish everyone a happy and healthful 2012.

I’m always amused by the crowds at 24 Hour Fitness during the first three weeks of January. Parking is nearly impossible—as is use of the free weights, elliptical trainer, and just about every other piece of equipment to which I have unfettered access the other 49 weeks. It also amazes me how quickly all the activity dissipates. As they say, the spirit is willing…

Speaking of spirits, this time of year also brings to mind one of my literary heroes, whose encounter with Christmas ghosts inspired a resolve that did withstand the test of time—and whose reformation is evidence of our capacity for change: the legendary Ebeneezer Scrooge.

The Christmas Carol concludes with Dickens’ marvelous description of human transformation:

“Scrooge was better than his word… He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him.”

I love the idea of a laughing heart—one that’s wise enough to tolerate those who would belittle goodness. And I think that’s a nice image with which to begin a new year, especially at a place like the Ronald McDonald House, where so much good is done by so many.

Confident that I’m in generous company, I’m resolving to laugh more in 2012. I invite you to grin both with and at me throughout the year as well.

Happy New Year!

Tom Soma, Executive Director