Christmas is a time for Giving

So, it's been awhile since my last post and I've been debating whether or not I want to write about the following story. The reason is, my family does this little Christmas tradition because it makes us happy, not because we want to show how "good" we are or anything like that. We do it anonymously. But I figure, most of my friends know what type of person I am and hopefully know that I don't do things for show, and others who may happen upon this blog don't know me so it is still anonymous in a sense. It is a good story either way which is why I decided I would share it. And maybe it means more to me since I was there and I witnessed it, but now, onto my story.

My family has started a tradition of giving. We were not always as blessed but we now have the means to share a little more at Christmas time. I won't share the amount we share, since it doesn't matter to the purpose of the story. What we do is we decide on a store in a poorer area where there are bargain prices or something like that. Last year we went to a KMart that was going out of business and everything was on clearance. We divide up into teams and each of us has an envelope containing a letter and some money. We wander the store and look for people who are looking at prices, tell their kids they can't afford something- or longingly look at small things and have very little in their cart. Various signs that they aren't well off. When we find someone we are supposed to call someone. We go up to them, hand them the envelope, say Merry Christmas, since that is why we're doing it- in the name of Christmas (whether they celebrate Christmas or not it is the reason we do it. We believe Christ to be charitable and it is in the name of Christmas that we do it, not merely the holiday season. If they are offended at our choice of words that is their choice.) Then we walk away quickly and disappear. Our splitting up is crucial to this part because other family members watch the reaction from nearby areas while we hide.

This year we went to a Walmart and it took us a fair amount longer than it did last year.
We wandered the store many times. My partner and I were the first ones to find a candidate. She had been walking through many parts of the store- looking at kids shoes, looking for the right size, putting it in her cart and then later taking it back out again. So we went up to her and said Merry Christmas, holding out the envelope to her. She took one look and said, "Mmmm.... no." And I was like, "This is for you." And she just shook her head. First denial. Oh well. So the night went on. The first two that got handed out, when the receivers opened the envelope went in search of the anonymous givers. They stopped looking at the shelves but instead started looking for my sisters. I watched one of the handouts, and although I look a fair amount like my sister, since we did not acknowledge each other she didn't recognize me. I watched and smiled at her. My sister gave it to her and said Merry Christmas, this is for you. And the lady looked back at her and said 'Thank you, but how did you know? How did you know I needed this?' She then went on and said that she had 5 girls with her and one boy and she was trying to figure out what they could and couldn't afford. My sister briefly said that that was what our family was. They had a small conversation before my sister was able to leave. Then she opened the envelope and found out what was inside. She went in search of my sisters to try and say thank you- but we like to remain anonymous. It's more fun that way.

My sister and I finally found another candidate, with the help of my mom. It was an older lady looking in the baby section. She had virtually nothing in her cart and my mom had been watching her for awhile. So we decided to watch for a brief while from a little ways away. We figured she was a good candidate and then quickly walked up to her and said, "Merry Christmas". Then we pretty much took off running. We hid in a nearby area and actually from behind racks of clothes we actually knelt down on the ground and watched for a brief time from there. She opened her envelope looking confused. Then she turned around looking. It was when she didn't stop looking that I knew we wouldn't be able to stay and continue watching. So when she turned we ran further and all the way around to the other side of the store. When we caught up with the other family members who had watched they recounted the story. Apparently, a worker asked if all was alright, and she replied, "Two girls handed me this. I've seen them for a little while now. I think they're with some church organization or something." And the guy was like, "Was there money in it?" To which she responded there was and said she just wanted to thank us. The guy responded saying, "I think that's why they're hiding. They probably want to stay anonymous." Supposedly he looked right at my sister- the one who looks a lot like me, and I don't know if he winked or not, but it was almost like he knew. But if he did, he kept our secret. :)

My mom had found a few things while "shopping" and decided to go check out while the last pair looked for someone. They hadn't found much success. My mom then came back and said that the lady at the cash register in aisle 7 that she had checked out in might be able to use it. So we decided to. My sister had actually found something else to buy. So my mom entered into the line again. The plan was, my dad and brother would give it to her right before my mom got to the front of the line, so we could see her reaction. Most of my younger siblings just crowded around my mom and were able to see. I acted like part of the family but didn't hover around the cash register. I took the bags my mom had previously purchased and patiently waited for her to finish the second purchase. When my dad and brother walked up she was puzzled and assumed it had been dropped and asked my dad something to that affect. He told her it was for her, and she was even more puzzled. While waiting for the receipt to print for the previous customer before my mom she opened it and read the note. When my mom got there she was like, "That was odd." She got the lady in a conversation. She apparently had had a long day and was supposed to have been done hours before. She had teared up when reading the note and didn't expect my mom at all. At the end she told my mom 'Merry Christmas' and with that, we were done and headed home. I'm pretty sure we all enjoyed our little Christmas tradition and although there are many out there yet in need, I feel good to have helped a few.

And although I would love to remain completely anonymous, I think the more stories of giving there are out there, the more people will be inspired to do like acts of service. I watch movies like, "Pay It Forward" and think that if everyone were to pay it forward three people then the world everywhere would be a better place. So although we didn't stop world hunger, we started where we could, and hopefully it will spread- maybe slowly, but hopefully more quickly. That of giving- whether it is in the name of Christ, Christmas, miracles, or goodwill or whatever drives you to be more charitable. Give where you can- whether it be of financial means, time, smiles, being a friend- there are many ways to give and everyone can give in one way or another.