All I want for Christmas is for all kids to wake up happy, warm, well-fed and loved on Christmas morning. It's a tall order, and I know it's one that won't happen, and it just really breaks my heart. It seems like every other school year I get a group of students who have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Even then, those clothes were donated. I wanted to share something that has really put this season into perspective for me.
I have a little boy in my class who's always been known as the class clown. He doesn't like to read and sometimes he really struggles with authority. I've been blessed that when there's a kid with a bad reputation, for some reason, they usually behave with me. Anyway, this little boy has been really sick. He gets these coughing spells where he needs his inhaler or he vomits. I found out from him that he needed a nebulizer for his prescription and that's the reason he hasn't gotten any better. I managed to get one donated to him and he seemed really grateful, and his cough really improved. On Monday he got called to the office by the Social Worker. When he came back he was beaming. He came straight to me and showed me this little red blanket and a Wal-Mart gift card for $20.00. He said, "Look Miss! I got my Christmas wish! Not only that, I got this cool box (a checkbook box) to put my stuff in!" Wow. That really made me think about my life and all that I have and all that my son has. I throw the boxes checks come in away. I don't think Caleb would show that much excitement for a dollar store fleece blanket. I don't know that many kids would show that kind of excitement for a Christmas present like that. In this day and age, even in a recession, Christmas is a time for buy, buy, buy. Gimme, gimme, gimme. I had already decided that I don't want to make Christmas about the presents for my family, this just made that decision much more clear to me. The next day my student came and asked me if I could find him a ride to Wal-Mart. I said, "I'll see what I can do. Are you going to use your card to get a cool toy or something?" He said, "No Miss, I want to buy my mom something really nice for Christmas. That's why I need a ride, I want to surprise her." It took all I had not to just cry right then and there. He got a gift he could use for himself, but he'd much rather use it for his mom. I hope and pray that I raise Caleb to be that giving at Christmas time.
So this Christmas I'm grateful that I can give my son what he needs. I'm grateful that I have a house. I'm grateful for food. I'm grateful for getting to spend time with my family. I'm grateful that Jesus was born and that he loves all of us, even those with nothing this Christmas. Those things, things that you can't put a price on, are what make Christmas special. That's why I'll be happy with my gifts, but I'd be happy without them.
Next year, I'm going to give more to the needy families in my area. I'm going to get involved in the Red Cross's Christmas program, and I'm going to take Caleb with me when we go to those colonias to give gifts to those families that need it the most. I think if everyone did the same, or if everyone decided to donate one item to a toy, food, or clothing drive, we can eventually get the spirit of Christmas spread to everyone. Take your kids to see those kids that have nothing. Trust me, it'll make a huge difference in their lives.
I hope everyone has a happy holiday season. I know I'm going to.
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