The Giving Tree

Today is a late post.


I am late because well? Frankly, I have been in a crappy mood due to my spoilt, unappreciative children. Yes, I know they are my fault, so please reframe from any snide comments or what you think might be helpful tips because I might just have to result to verbal violence. Mmmkay?

Anywhoozle, like I wrote, I was in a terrible mood. I have been feeling mounting pressure from all sides of my life and I just want to scream “I CAN’T DO IT ALL!!!”

Then today at work, we received our Ornaments from the Giving Tree. My company sponsors a tree every year and I pick out 5 children (1 for each of us) that is in need of 2 gifts for Christmas. My children will give up asking for two of their gifts in place of buying two gifts for another child. I am trying to teach them that giving IS a gift to yourself!

Looking at these ornaments breaks my heart because I know that these children and hundreds more will not be with their families or have been removed from a hostile environment and will be among strangers for the holidays. I hate it.

But I LOVE the fact that I have the means to provide some unexpected happiness and joy to children. I wish I could take every ornament that is created every year and provide each child with their Christmas wishes, but alas, I can’t afford that YET!

Last year I wrote a post that included this about my children and believing in Santa Claus:

“Santa Claus is a Christmas spirit. He is a spiritual energy that can make miracles happen. You can’t use your own perspective when it comes to Santa. You have to open your imagination across the entire globe and know that Santa’s are at work everywhere. Do you realize that because YOU BOTH decided to buy 2 presents for children that are in dire need of a Christmas miracle and wish, they will be waking up to presents under the tree this year in a stranger’s house – just for them!? Do you think that for one instant, they will think their parents put them there? You are the Santa Claus that will bring the excitement and joy to a small child that has otherwise been in a very bad situation. Do you realize that because of your giving nature this holiday season, you ARE Santa Claus to that child? You might not be there in person to see him or her open their gifts, but you can feel their happiness through how you felt when you opened your presents and it was EXACTLY what you wanted. You are their Christmas miracle – you are the reason that gives a child HOPE that life can be fantastic! That is what Santa Claus is all about. That is why Santa Claus is so important to believe in - in your life for evermore. “

I hope my children never forget this. I hope when I take these ornaments home, my children find the appreciation and gratitude I know they have possessed – somewhere deep, deep, down in their black loving souls.

Today…because I can help make a few Christmas wishes come true…I found tear-jerking thankfulness and joy.

If you are out and about between now and Christmas and you come across a tree filled with children's ornaments? "may you find the finances and willingness to make a child's Christmas wish come true!"
 
And if you are reading this and own a company? I challenge you to sponsor a whole tree - because as I've written before and 100% believe in, the pureness of genuine giving will be multiplied back to you in magnificent ways!
 
I give because it puts a smile on someone's face and joy in my heart!