From time to time, we hear positive stories about kindness that we would like to share....positive stories that often time, we do not hear enough about. So as a result, we want to share these stories with you....If you have a story about kindness that you would like to share and maybe brighten someone else's day, please tell us your stories. Here is a story that was shared with us...Enjoy!
Sam, my son, has a birthday on December 22nd, so he was just about to turn three, and Christmas was truly taking form in his mind. He was really starting to understand what the Holiday represents (more than I knew at the time). After careful consideration on Sam's part, he finally had come up with a gift to ask for from Santa - a truck. Nothing else, just a truck! I asked if he would like to ask Santa for anything else? He said, "No, it's rude to ask for more." (ARE YOU KIDDING ME, I THOUGHT). But, no he would not dream of asking for more and as I later found out, his opinion was that if Santa had the time and wanted to give him more he would. (He really did that Christmas - I had to reward that attitude).
However, that was not the most amazing part. As we were getting ready to go see Santa at the mall, he froze and got into a real panic, “We didn't get anything for Santa!!!!! We need to give Santa a gift!!!! He needs to know we love him!!!!” I was a little dumbfounded and tried to explain that Santa didn't look for anything in return from boys and girls, that he did this out of the goodness of his heart. Well, Sam would have none of that logic. He simply insisted we think of something to get for Santa. So, we sat down and reviewed his list of what Santa might need, warm socks, pajamas, lunch etc. We finally arrived at coffee - "because he has to stay up all night delivering toys and will need coffee to keep awake". So off to Starbucks we went. We decided to buy a gift card so Santa could choose which coffee he would want. With our $10 gift card in hand and smartly wrapped, we went and stood in line at the mall to see Santa. We stood in line for over an hour without complaint. And when it was finally our turn, sure enough he asked only for a truck and when pressed for a list from Santa of more toys - still only a truck please. When he was done he got off Santa’s lap, turned and hugged him, handed him his gift and said "I love you too."
I still cry when I think of it. The best part of all is we now do it as tradition. Last year we were in line for over 3 hours on Christmas Eve, still no complaints, and I can guarantee that we will find a Santa this year and do the very same thing. My son looks forward every year to letting Santa know we love him.
That's my little story, but it’s one of my favorites. I hope you can see that he understands that gifts are expressions of love and not just what you can get. He still will not ask Santa for more than one item (I am a whole different story).
Sincerely,
N. C.
Charleston, SC
P.S. My favorite holiday tradition is what I call “Candy Caning.” I gather my family on some of the ugliest shopping days of the season and we head out to the busiest mall or shopping center (you can always find the grumpiest people in these places around the season of love). Everyone scouts to find the harried, the tearful, the lonely, the angry, etc. Then one of us, my son included, grabs a little candy cane that I have in my purse and walks up with the biggest smile and love in their heart and says, "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays." It gets them every time. You can turn someone’s trauma or situation into one of the best days of their lives just by recognizing they exist. And my family fills up on the spirit and rides high for the rest of the year. I really do recommend doing this, especially if you are having a bad day. |
