Some years ago, I experienced an example of selfless giving that always brings special meaning to this time of the year.
She was a member of our community who had goodness in her heart and who preferred to remain nameless. At Christmas time, she asked a friend to contact me and asked that I provide her with the number of children in the shelter, their gender, age, sizes for clothing, pajamas, a coat and shoes and a special toy that they desired. She didn’t need, nor want to know, their names nor any details about their circumstance. She simply knew that they were in the shelter, that they were children and that she loved them. She set about shopping for each child, wrapped their Christmas gifts and had them delivered to me at the WCA.
I made sure that the children received these kind gifts from my anonymous friend. This continued to occur, every Christmas, for five to six years. I never met her nor did I have any idea who this kind and generous woman was. She didn’t desire recognition, in any form. She was guided by her deep desire to help children and to bring smiles to them at Christmas. She embodied the spirit of Christmas and epitomizes the best that all of us can strive to be.