Spotlight: The Portrait - a gift that was meant to be

You never know how special the gift of giving is until you make a gift that touches a family's heart.

It is no secret that commercialism has dominated our holidays for several years, but there is another side to giving besides buying gifts for friends and family. It is one that is rare in today's society and that is why when I hear a story like this, I have to write about it. It is about the true spirit of giving of yourself and the happiness it can bring.
There are many unsung heroes in our communities and as my readers know, I've written about a few. Today it's my pleasure to relate another special story about a person whose very nature is to give to others.

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Today's Spotlight: A Special Christmas will warm your heart

Bill Plaschke, a sports columnist at the Times since 1996, has made nationally recognized contributions in both journalism and public service.
 
Last year just before Christmas on December 23 my husband gave me a wonderful gift. An avid reader of the Sports section in the Los Angeles Times, he insisted that I read sports writer Bill Plaschke’s column “A gift that opens him up.” The whole column can still be found on-line with the title “It’s a wonderful life of writing.”

Plaschke shared the real spirit of Christmas and, more important, the gift of confidence and inspiration for a fledgling sports writer. He speaks of a being kid with a speech impediment who dreamed of being a sports writer. When the dream first surfaced, he had no idea what it would take to get there. Fortunately his parents and grandmother did, and because of that for many years sports enthusiasts have been able to enjoy his columns in the Los Angeles Times.
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