Christmas Where We Learn To Give
We were poor, but Christmas belonged to Granny, and she guarded it fiercely. She forbade the words “we can’t afford it” the way other people forbid cursing in church
Where we learn to give...
We were poor, but Christmas belonged to Granny, and she guarded it fiercely. She forbade the words “we can’t afford it” the way other people forbid cursing in church
She would spread newspaper across the dining table like a holy cloth, then poured out brown craft paper, tinsel that shed silver tears, sticky glue, and glitter that got into every crack of our childhood. We made gifts until our fingers sparkled and our hearts felt huge.
Some afternoons she lined us up, marched us down Parkside Avenue, and pushed open the doors of dim bars. The men hunched over coffee and yesterday’s regrets looked up, bleary-eyed, and smiled at small children holding crooked stars. They always bought every one. We never knew those crumpled bills became our turkey, our stuffing, our light.
Gifts were capped at two dollars, but we never noticed. Everything was new when it came from love.
I can’t tell you what any of those two-dollar treasures were. What I carry is the glow in Granny’s eyes when we handed her our lopsided ornaments—eyes that said, You are enough. You are my wealth.
That’s where I learned it: the joy of giving, however small, is the only gift that makes the poor feel rich, and keeps them rich forever. As such, I have spent my career giving. Giving what I have to give - helping people have better lives. Yes thats a plug - for my ability to find people money. Which I can do for so many. reach out if you would like to see if there is some cash you can get to help you through this season