The Gift of Giving

           I would be making a liar out of myself if I said that I LOVE Christmas. I do enjoy the decorating of the tree and house, the wrapping and giving of gifts, seeing the smile on our girlies face Christmas morning and making awesome memories with my lil' family!! However, there is always this part of me that feels sad around this time of year...like I should be doing something more. All I can think about is the people with no jobs, no home, no money to get the necessities let alone Christmas gifts for their family. It makes my heart hurt...literally. It just doesn't feel right for me to be receiving these beautiful gifts (which I am so thanful for) when I know that there are others out there who will be receiving nothing, who will be thankful just to have a little bit of food in their stomach. *sigh*.

        Each year I vow that I'm going to volunteer my time on Christmas Day to help serve Christmas dinner to the homeless at our local homeless shelter, and each year it never happens. Why?? Well, thruthfully, I'm finding it hard to give up seeing our girlie Christmas day...opening her gifts, getting excited, taking pictures...these moments are so precious to me (we only have K every other weekend and only for a few hours Christmas Day, so I hate to miss any time with her!!). So I tell myself that when she gets a bit older and can understand why I may not be there Christmas morning, then that will be the right time! Who knows....maybe there will come a time when she will want to come with me..she has such a huge heart that I know she would love to come and help, to give back and to know that she can make such a huge difference in someones life!!

        Before we moved, we used to always walk over to friends of ours..an elderly couple.(well let me just say that they could probably out-do us any day with anything!!! They are spunky and full of Zest!!) They are so kind and caring and have been through so much heartache..I can't even imagine. You see....they had 3 boys...and now they have 1. Two of their children have passed away in very horrible circumstances and their 3rd son is not well. He is recovering from treatment for cancer. They are always helping him, always working hard to make sure he gets to appointments, he eats and that he is taken care of.  I know as a "parent" that I to would do all of these things, even if it meant pure exhaustion and putting myself last...that's what parenting is all about. But you see...they N-E-V-E-R complain, not ever!! They are always happy, always welcoming you into their home. I love these people...I can only hope that I will be like them, caring, compassionate and giving. Christmas is a bit hard for them as you can imagine, so each year I make sure to buy a big, beautiful poinsettia to bring to them. To some....it's just a plant, but let me tell you, the look on her face when she opens that door and sees me standing there with that huge plant?!?!? It's priceless!!! My heart sings!!! So this year I bought one from our girlies school..not for us, but to take to them!! I am looking so forward to dropping it off (along with our family Christmas card..which they love!!). I'm sure they won't be expecting it this year since we have moved a little ways away, but little do they know....hehe!!!

                                                                                   

           I really hope to be doing more giving this year. My mom and I both pitch in $50 every Christmas and buy food, toys and beds for our local animal shelter...I never forget our furry friends...they need help to!! I buy more poinsettias from my work which helps toward the horticulture program, we donate food to the food bank and always give clothing to those in need. It may sound like alot, but really it isn't. I feel that we could be doing so-much-more. I'd love to hear some of  the things that your family does to give back!! It inspires me and motivates me to do more..so feel free to fill me in, I'm always looking for more ideas!!