You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. What a moving quote to think about during the Holiday season. The season of giving.
Whether it may be having someone dig out your car for you after the massive snow storm, receiving a card in the mail from a distant friend, or just giving someone a call to wish them happy holidays; there's always chances to help someone.
Every time the Christmas season comes around, there's always one story that comes to mind. Growing up, I fell in love with the holiday season..all of it! The hustling around, the bonding time with my family, over eating, Christmas movies, and let's be honest, the pretty awesome gifts from my parents. But as a 3rd grader, I was introduced to what the real meaning of the Holiday season was.
Growing up with my mom as an Agriculture Education teacher, my family and I tend to get pretty close to her students that spend countless hours in her classroom. Quite honestly, some pretty crazy, funny, and very deep conversations have taken place in that classroom. Giving my mom a pretty good grasp on what peoples family backgrounds are like and where they come from. There was one student who stuck out to my mom.
I remember my Mom coming home from school telling my Dad at the supper table that a student of her's had told her that he wasn't getting any present's for Christmas and all he asked for was a meal that didn't come from a school cafeteria. I chimed in with, "no presents? How could you get no presents on Christmas?!". My Dad looked at me and said, "not everyone is as fortunate as you are, Sarah. Sometimes people can't afford to buy presents for their kids, or sometimes their Mommy or Daddy's aren't there on Christmas". The thought of no presents under a Christmas tree was just as surprising to me as it was knowing there wasn't a real Santa Clause.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve. As we were packing the car full of the freshly wrapped presents getting ready to go to my Grandmas for Christmas, I found my Mom wrapping one last present. A portable CD player equipped with a new CD, and headphones. We pulled into the local grocery store parking lot and my Mom, Dad, 2 brothers, and myself all got out of the car and wished the employees a Merry Christmas. As we saw this particular student towards the back of the store my parents headed towards him, and my brothers and I followed, carrying the neatly wrapped present. As my mom said, "okay kids, show him what we brought" an instant smile appeared. As he took the present and held it as if it was gold, he neatly unwrapped it..corner by corner. After the present was completely unwrapped, a tear fell from his face and he wrapped one arm around my Mom and one arm around my Dad and he said, "Thank you". As they pulled away I saw the wet cheeks of my Mom and Dad as they said, "we wanted you to unwrap a present this year, Merry Christmas".
The hustling around, tons of Christmas cookies, bonding with my family, endless amounts of hot chocolate, and piles of Christmas presents under a tree are what I remember about the Holidays. But what this student remembers is a home cooked meal from his employer, and a portable CD player. Take time to spread the love this holiday season, you will never understand the power a small act will have on others. You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you..I'm so blessed to say my family has.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Make a difference.
-Sar.
