The TRUEST meaning of Christmas

We had a wonderful trip up to Oregon over Thanksgiving. We were able to be with family and friends and enjoy their company. We were even able to throw my mom a surprise 50th birthday party. Black Friday was a hit and were were able to shop for 12 hours and get most of our lists complete!

However, an unexpected occurrence happened. As were were driving back from our long day of Black Friday shopping, my car started to make some weird noises and then....nothing. We began coasting. I knew in an instant that it was probably my transmission. We made it slowly to my mom's driveway and that's were our car stayed. Come to find out, it was our transmission and the cost was more than we would have liked to hear. My long day of bargain shopping turned into not much of a bargain after all. Unfortunately, our car just passed it's warranty mileage and we're stuck with the bill.

Needless to say, our Christmas budget has come to a halt and pretty much all we have bought so far is what we'll have to give on Christmas morning.

As Justin and I sat down the night we got home from Oregon to discuss our plans for Christmas, we decided that our gifts to one another would be the spirit of the season. We would enjoy doing all the fun stuff you do in anticipation for Christmas and go without the stuffed stockings and presents under the tree and enjoy this wonderful month. Our boys are so small that they don't "expect" to be given too much and are pretty much happy with unwrapping anything, which is nice to have this year ;).

Well, last night Justin came home and told me about Diane (a women at work) who has a neighbor that lives down the street from her who is a crack addict. This women has a son who has been very neglected. This little boy is malnourished and doesn't have any warm clothes. SO SAD! All night I was thinking about this poor little boy who probably feels alone and especially sad during this month. The local foster program can't take him in because he's not being physically abused and there are a ton of children who need be to fostered in front of him. His mom was given a chance to go to a shelter, but declined because it's a woman and children only shelter and her "boyfriend" couldn't come along.

As we headed for bed Justin and I decided that we would adopt this little boy for the winter months and that tomorrow we would go and buy this little boy some clothing to get him through the winter. I felt good enough with that that I was able to eventually fall asleep.

When I awoke this morning I had another idea. I jumped on the phone and made some calls to a couple friends. From there,in less than 45 minutes, I was able to collect bags of blankets, clothes and food for this little boy. I called another friend who runs a foster agency here in Gridley and she has offered to open her clothing closet at the agency for me to go in and get anything I need.

What an amazing blessing. I feel so filled today that I am able, with the help of so many wonderful friends and family, to bless a little boys life. This is the truest meaning of Christmas. To give the gift of comfort, love and warmth to those who need it.

I feel blessed to have the friends and family I do that are so generous and caring. Who at the drop of a dime, give all that they have to help out.

As a little girl my mom would always take me and my sister to the mall and had us pick out another child's name off the tree to buy gifts and clothing for during Christmas. I loved that tradition. It was my favorite of all and now I am able to give this wonderful gift of tradition to my boys. Benson is just now old enough to slightly understand and he's really excited to go and pick up all the stuff and deliver it.

It's not the gifts that we have waiting for us under the tree each Christmas morning that makes Christmas. It's not the bargains we find on Black Friday. It is however, the feeling that we have done something for someone that they couldn't do for themselves. The gift of giving. The gift of love and generosity.

I am so thankful for the blessings in my life and in a way, thankful for this unexpected expense of a new transmission that has led me remember what Christmas is all about. Not just gift giving but helping someone that is truly in need.

Merry Christmas!