The Slice: Just like the ones we used to know

I know it’s early to be bringing this up.

But bear with me.

Like many of my friends and neighbors, I always root for a white Christmas. The thing is, I don’t usually start thinking about it until Thanksgiving. This year though, it’s already on my mind because I don’t believe last year can be topped.

Perhaps it was different where you live. But near my home, it was Irving Berlin snowy at Christmas. Treetops glistened.

Yes, I know we have had deeper snow. Still, when it comes to mounds of pristine powdery accumulations on evergreen boughs and other seasonal scenes, 2015 was one for the books.

There’s not much chance this December is going to top that. So I’m not even going to hope for anything of the sort. I’ll take whatever we get, and like it.

But that leaves me wondering. What should I root for in the final third of the year?

There’s always health and prosperity for loved ones, of course. Or good economic news for our area. Or successful outcomes, depending on your leanings, in elections or sports.

But here is what is on my list right now.

Here’s hoping those with aging parents will ask the right people for advice.

When a drunken abuser is about to assault a child, I hope an older sibling will summon the courage and wherewithal to stand up and keep it from happening.

When people in the depths of depression have all but given up on themselves, I hope they will remember some shining moment, perhaps from long ago, when they selflessly did the right thing and it made all the difference for someone.

When a little kid has a public tantrum, I hope the parent with that child will somehow realize the adult strangers nearby are silently offering support and understanding.

Serious doubt has been cast on whether Southerner Pee Wee Reese ever really put his arm around the shoulders of fellow infielder Jackie Robinson in front of a hostile crowd. But I hope some Spokane area kids can metaphorically stand by classmates in just that way when bullies loom.

I’m rooting for local small businesses.

I hope some shy teenage boy will come to the aid of an injured animal and be observed doing so by a misunderstood pretty girl who is about to say goodbye to the popular dimwits she hangs out with.

Today’s Slice question: Who else got married on this date?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Dave Hutton got A’s on high school book reports secretly based on his reading of Classics Illustrated comic books.