My most memorable Christmas is not one of great excess. The presents under the tree did not contain expensive game systems or electronics. We didn't have a fancy glittery tree. We were dirt poor. In the past 6 months there had been 5 surgeries in our little family. My son had major spinal surgery and was in a back brace. He required 24 hour care. My husband had been in a car accident and had his leg shattered. He was completely wheel chair bound. My other son was a baby. Obviously, with 3 at home who required around the clock care, I wasn't working. We were on welfare (but not for long - I'm very grateful that it was there when I needed it, but that we didn't have to stay on it for long). We were living hand to mouth and didn't have 2 nickels to rub together. There was no money at all for gifts. We put up our tree anyway, and decorated the house. There was a lot of merriment and joy even if there were no presents under the tree. Somehow, I believe it was my grandma, the word got out and suddenly gifts for the kids began showing up on our door step. Not just the kids, but gifts for My husband and I too. And the food! Don't even get me started on the food!
I know it sounds like a Hollywood Christmas story, but it really was the most amazing time of year when I saw the goodness and generosity of people.
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3 comments:
I never cease to be amazed by the kindness of people. I've never felt so loved as I do this year, between my family and the friends-who-are-family.
Between the lovelyness of this post and raging hormones I'm @ work crying like a baby. Isn't it great how you get help just when you sometimes need it?
This is so sweet and beautiful. It reminds me of the year our next door neighbor offered to put up the lights on our house because he knew how much it meant to me and knew that our son had been in the hospital and we couldn't do it. It restored my faith in humanity and was the sweetest gesture I've ever seen.
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