Christmas Is for Giving and Receiving

CHRISTMAS IS FOR GIVING -
and RECEIVING

    Our “Winter Texan” RV park “adopted” a family for Christmas this year. We’re well aware that there are many needy families around us in this community. But we didn’t know how to identify just one to receive our donated gifts to brighten their holiday.
    The organist at our little Methodist church is an administrator in a public school system just a few miles north of our park. She was glad to help us by suggesting a family in that community whose five oldest children are students in her school.
    The names, ages and clothing sizes of the father, mother and six children between the ages of 16 years and 18 months were shared with the residents of our park. Gifts began to pour in. There were dolls, stuffed animals, hand made foam rubber blocks, coats and clothing for each family member, paper towels, toothbrushes, soap, blankets, and other essentials. Gifts of cash and gift cards made sure that the family could purchase anything that had been overlooked.
    Canned or non-perishable food filled several boxes. One couple, however, wanted to be sure that there would be enough to feed this large family. They went to a near-by grocery to shop for their gifts. Up and down the grocery aisles they went, surveying the wide assortment of foods available. The longer they looked, the more confused they got.
    Finally, they decided to ask an expert for help. They approached a fellow shopper – a Hispanic woman – and said, “Excuse us. We’re from northern California and we’re trying to help out a needy family in this community for Christmas. But we don’t know what kind of food would be suitable for them. Can you help us choose foods that they would like to eat?”
    The unknown lady shopper replied with a smile, “But, of course. Come with me.” She led them to the aisle of Hispanic foods and pointed out the preferred types of beans, large bags of rice, salsa, vegetables and fruits that are local favorites. She guided them patiently as they put into their shopping cart large quantities of the foods she had suggested, including some candy for the children and a big bag of dried hot peppers!
    They thanked her repeatedly for her help. Only when they headed for the check-out line did she resume her own personal grocery shopping.
    Christmas is a time for giving. But, sometimes, being willing to receive – at least guidance and help – results in an even better gift to give!

20 Dec 2010 - mshr

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