It seems with the holidays people are caught up in christmas lists, cookies, parties, and STRESS. Yes, what’s a major holiday without stress? Ok maybe it’s a bit negative. It always turns out great though right? The good things, the turkey disasters, whatever…it’s all memories.
The holidays also give me time to reflect. It makes me very grateful that I do have so many blessings in my life. While I may not be rich my family has a decent roof over their heads, a comfortable bed to sleep in, food in the cupboards, and we can pay the bills every month. My children are healthy, happy, and active. I have a loving husband and we have a lot in common. I have a job, which in this economy isn’t a given to all. We can’t get everything the boys want on their list for Christmas but we can get them a few things and they’re always happy with what they get.
I know for a lot of you reading this, you’re shaking your heads saying I have that, I can do that, etc. The sad truth is that not everyone can say those things. While it is upsetting at times to hear about families in need it brings comfort to me to include my family in charities for the holidays. My boys and I pick a day to go “Toys for Tots” shopping. They help pick out one toy for a boy, a girl, and a baby to donate to Toys for Tots. I use this time almost every year to remind them of what christmas is really about. I remind them how lucky they are to have what they have. Make sure they understand that they should appreciate what they have. This shopping trip has become a tradition for us. While we can’t spend a lot of money on the trip it is comforting to me to know we helped in some small way. I feel that these trips will carry over as my kids get older.
There are so many ways to help around the holidays. I had a stranger make a small gesture that still sticks with me today. I was going through a very had time in my life at one point. My 2 oldest boys were just babies. I was about to go through a divorce. Our financial situation at the time was stressful. I just felt like a black cloud was following me around. I had gone to walmart. I bought a few things with what little bit of cash I had. I had the two babies in the cart. I stepped out of walmart only to find it was pouring down rain and cold. (Maybe a black cloud really was following me around) I hurried to my car with the cart. I was trying to quickly get the babies in the car. A middle age man came walking toward me quickly. I’m embarrassed to say I was weary of him. I wasn’t sure why he was coming toward me. He opened up an umbrella and held it over me until I got the babies in the car and continued to until I got all the groceries in the trunk. AND THEN he took the cart and told me he’d put it away. I thanked him but he’ll probably never know how much that meant to me. A moment of caring and warmth in a hard time in my life.
My situation has improved significantly since that moment. I’m crying as I write this. I even find comfort in the fact that I had gone through that situation in my life. I think it makes me appreciate what I have now even more.
There are so many ways to bring comfort and joy to someone. Reflect on your blessing and take a moment to be thankful for what you have. I’d love to hear what you are thankful for this holiday season!
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I’m actually going through a really tough time in my life right now so I really needed to read this. I have all these things to for the moment but they can be gone in a second. I’m very thankful for what I have and the good people in my life, I guess I just have a problem showing it in a positive way all the time with the stress from working 2 jobs, taking care of house, etc.
I’m really glad you and your kids buy presents for other kids during the holidays. We collect at work sometimes and other times I donate in the boxes set up at the stores. I should try to involve my son more. He’s really a kind hearted kid and he’d love doing this.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I hope everything works out for you as well. All I can say is count the blessings you do have. on my own I did the Angel Tree through JC Penney. I chose an 8 yr old boy. Mostly because that would be the same as my oldest son. Our local police are doing a toy drive this year our local area too. I’m hoping to be able to do that too. I wish I was rich sometimes. I’d love to do a lot more.
Thanks for stopping by!
I appreciate this post!! I love reflecting this time of year myself & its wonderful to know that others are doing the same!
I am following from TwitterMoms!