Merry Christmas Eve everyone. Today, David Wright is telling us what Christmas means to him this year with “The Gift.” Enjoy.
The gift
I was not looking forward to this holiday season.
I’ve been without a job since June and it’s been quite a transition. Being broke and jobless at Christmas sucks. I don’t mind that few gifts will have my name on them this year. I’m more bothered that I can’t buy gifts for others.
Fortunately, I have a wife who understands our situation.
In fact, she’s been very understanding since I lost my job. She hasn’t given me hell about finding a new one. She hasn’t complained about all that we have to do without. She’s been great.
It’s hard for me, though, to know that she’s carrying the weight of most of our financial burdens. It’s hard that purchases normally made without hesitation are now critical decisions.
Being without a job has led me to some dark places the past six months as I face the unknown and my limitations. I’m loathe to feel sorry for myself as I’m hardly alone in my predicament. Too many people are finding themselves in situations they never thought would happen to them.
But at times, I feel pretty damned hopeless.
For the most part, I’ve withdrawn from many people because I’m not feeling particularly good about my situation. I don’t want to have “that conversation” with people.
“So, you find a job yet? Ah, too bad, man.”
It’s awkward and a reminder of my failings. Part of me would like to just hide away until I’m back on top of things. I don’t want to infect people with my growing cynicism. I don’t want to be “that guy” who brings everyone down with his woes. I’m normally a pretty funny and upbeat guy.
But when you’re not working, you have lots of time to focus on how bad things are, how much rotten and evil runs rampant in the world and how little evidence of goodness.
So, like I said, I was not looking forward to Christmas.
But recently, I’ve received some reminders of what I couldn’t see – the kindness of others.
It started a couple of weeks ago when someone anonymously left several bags of groceries at our doorstep. It could not have come at a better time, either. Later, we found out who the person was – someone from my wife’s church.
A couple of weeks ago, my father spent an entire day installing cabinets and building shelves in our laundry room – something my wife has wanted since we moved in. He offered his time and bought the materials because he knew that we couldn’t afford it.
And then last week, more generosity – strangers gave new clothes and presents to my son. And thanks to my mother-in-law, my son has a few more gifts under the tree this year than he would have had.
It’s amazing that so many people surrounding us were willing to open their hearts and help us.
I’ve never been on this end of charity. But it made me think a bit more about just that – giving.
My wife and I have donated to charities in the past. Not a lot, mind you, but when we could. I’ve never really thought much about what that money buys, though. In most cases that money buys hope.
And hope is one of the best things you can give to those who have lost it.
So, thank you to those who have given me hope.
Merry Christmas.
