With the holiday season upon us and Christmas just a couple days away, I thought I would share a little story with you - one that I hope will warm your heart and spread some cheer.
Listening to the children where I work, I was drawn to the conversations of their anxiousness for Christmas - the comparisons of what they were expecting to find under their decorated trees. There was chatter of new computers and Ipods, new clothes and expensive holiday vacations, or the latest video gaming console. My thoughts ran back to my youth when I too was excited for the day - of opening presents of all sorts and sharing time with family and friends.
Then, my thoughts turned to those without - all the families on hard times or whom might have suffered some sort of major issue. I decided I wanted to do something for someone else this year. So, the hunt went on...
I decided to use my skills to do something special - paint a model horse for someone. A young girl was located through one of my hobby friends. As the piece's paint job was completed, I felt a sense of true accomplishment for there was something more going into the work than just adding a fresh paint job to the model. I felt good knowing that this piece was going to someone I didn't know - someone who suffered a loss. The person wouldn't know it was coming - and I signed a slip of paper as "Secret Santa".
I watch news stories of "Secret Santas" all over the country trying to help less fortunate people - from people volunteering to collect toys for needy children, or those paying off the layaway bills of stressed and strapped parents, and to those who are collecting food to feed the homeless. In this small way, I thought I had done something good for someone I don't even know - to share in the real spirit of Christmas.
There is true joy in giving - a lot more than receiving.
Happy holidays to all!
