My Own Understanding Of Giving

Christmas has always been the top season wherein almost everyone has the inspiration to give. I don't think there is a single Christmas party in the christian community that does not have either an exchange gift or Kris Kringle. I'm not really sure though if everyone would understand the reason why we do such activities. To make it more practical, wish lists are created to make sure that those who will receive the gifts would be smiling when they see that they got what they wanted. I guess the bottom line is making someone happy in this yuletide season.

I have my own version of sharing happiness to others too and all are usually done spontaneously. Just like yesterday, we were hanging out at our fave Istarbaks Libertad when I decided to buy goodies from a bakery just beside the joint. While I was waiting for the cashier, I noticed a mom-child tandem choosing ice cream from the freezer. The 2 year old girl was already holding the ice pop but mom was still trying to scout for something cheaper. As the girl was starting to sob because she never wanted to let go of the treat, I saw the mom's eyes that as much as she wants to give in to her daughter, she knows she can't spend that much. She was so surprised when I told her that the ice pop was already paid and she need not worry about it. She was so grateful and gave me one of the most sincere Christmas greeting I have ever received in my entire life. For a P17 ice pop, I got a warm happy feeling which was just priceless. 

This Christmas, I intend to do more and with a lot of help from friends, I am positive that I will be able to make this season special to others. I decided not to go to local orphanages because I know that there are already a lot of organizations that would be visiting and sharing their bounties.

I decided to focus on street children and the elderly. These kids may pester a lot of people to ask for alms but regardless of their racket, I am not forgetting that they are still children and that if they may have ended begging on the streets, maybe because they believe that what they're doing is right (no thanks to their parents). I am not patronizing mendicancy but I could just imagine how it is if they had a taste of Christmas without being shooed away and just see goodies that they would never even dream of trying in their entire childhood. 

The elderly is going to be my other recipient, particularly those who still continue to struggle in order to earn their keep.  With warm soup and maybe chicken dinner, I hope to show them that the world has not been completely cruel to them because they are still remembered and given importance even in the littlest way. 

Giving is not to get something back but mainly to share the blessings that one has received no matter how small they are. I hope to inculcate this concept to my children and make them understand that we live for others too and would not achieve the true essence of fulfillment unless we have gratitude and selflessness in our hearts.