Today my mister and I delivered Christmas presents to strangers.We’ve done the K mart wishing tree in the past but this time we joined in with She Shopped spirit of Xmas where you can nominate worthy families or nominate to be a donor…we did both.
A few weeks ago we received the information about our family and I connected with them via a phone call. My mister and I then set about shopping for gifts for the whole family, putting care and thought into every gift. I then took joy in wrapping them and writing tags…see we were receiving as well.
The joy of giving and helping others is a gift.
Today we delivered the gifts, a quick stop, a hug and Merry Christmas and we were on our way. Now we aren’t flush with money, we are on one income due to my treatment and surgeries and we won’t be spending loads on our own kids this year. Giving to others is a priority though, we received thoughtful care throughout my treatment from friends and family and we understand how much the smallest kind gesture can change your day, week, month or year…Even how you look at life.
I’ve returned home to an email from our gift recipients and even though I knew ‘some’ of their story, I now know more of their story and that delivery we made, well it’s going to brighten a dark spot in their lives…and for that I’m grateful.
We can’t begin to know everyone’s story, what demons lay beneath, how circumstances changed them but I always say “When you know better you do better”.
Being shown care can help people heal and in turn teach them how to ‘pay it forward’. Well we know and do better and that helps to shape us into better humans, it teaches our children empathy, understanding and to be less judgemental.
Most of us are only a few paycheques away from financial chaos and illness or accidents can strike at anytime. Helping another person out or helping them up is something we would all require if the shoe were on the other foot.
If you can take a moment, I’d like you to think about how you can give some extra cheer to someone who might need it this Christmas. Your cheer might be gifts, or maybe a visit or something as simple as a smile but consciously making the effort to spread that cheer…well believe me you will be the winners too.
Merry Christmas!
Kathryn says
December 22, 2014 at 5:43 amWhat a lovely thing to do. A lot of people are struggling, and I think Xmas makes it even harder. I have been giving to as many charities as I can lately. We have a basket permanently at work for donations to a womens refuge. The first time I rang to ask them to collect the items I blubbered, then when I spoke face to face with her I cried again. Think I am getting soft in my old age haha! Kathryn x
Jenni says
December 22, 2014 at 9:13 amI love the idea of a basket at work Kathryn! I’m going to get my husbands workplace to do that next year. Merry Christmas x