As I got older, I understood it more. I got more pleasure in finding that perfect gift for someone. It equaled, and sometimes surpassed, the excitement I got when opening my own packages.
But this Christmas, I really got it, thanks to *Vincent. Vincent is a first grader at a local Memphis school. It is one of the poorest schools in the city - I would venture to say that most, if not all, children who attend are below the poverty line. Through work, I got the chance to "adopt" him for Christmas. My first introduction to him was his letter to Santa:
"Dear Santa Claus,
I have been kind of nice. How are you and Ms. Claus?
I would like to have a hot wheel for Christmas. I need a new pair of shoes.
I would like to have some paper, pencils and a new folder.
I love you,
Vincent"
"Kind of Nice" he admits. So thoughtful of him to think of Ms. Claus. And his requests - a hot wheel? Hot wheels are 97 cents each! A new folder? I take for granted all the times I ripped my folder or, more than likely, lost it - and it was replaced during the next trip to the grocery store. That is not the kind of world Vincent lives in.
In a world of IPODs and Wiis and brand-name clothing and ... all of the other cool things many kids wish for at Christmas, this little boy wanted a pencil to take to school and just any old shoes to put on his feet.
Speaking of shoes, Vincent's teacher emailed us with another story. She wanted to thank the employee who'd done an early delivery to a little boy named *Cordell. Cordell was known as a tough kid - who rarely showed any sign of weakness or emotion. Cordell got a new pair of church shoes from his "secret santa". His teacher says he cried like a baby when he saw them - her "tough guy" reduced to tears at the sight of his new shoes. Cordell did not take his shoes off all day, and when it was time to change into his old shoes to go home, he rocked the church shoes like a baby before putting them back in the box.
Although their resources are slim and although they have no idea who I am - these first graders have truly given me the greatest gift I know I will receive this year - a huge lesson in gratitude and humility.
It is better to give than to receive - I really do get it now.
Meet my Santa Claus, *Vincent:
2 comments:
LOVE this. pretty cool when you feel you finally "got it" isn't it? this adoption experience has made me "get it" even more...we are all so lucky and fortunate.
Can we do things for them throughout the year? Your e-mail had gotten lost in a zillion others I got the same day and I didn't get a chance to adopt one of the kids. It really is sad to see how much some of these kids suffer.
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