Written by George ScottThe weight of the world kept me up most of the night. The burdens of finances, inability to purchase a single Christmas gift for my son, the difficulties of communicating effectively within significant relationships, trying to figure out how to coordinate and organize support for my son going through cancer treatment and bone marrow transplant, and coming to the anniversary of the passing of my biggest fan and cheerleader, along with a number of other daily life responsibilities, made rest an elusive fantasy.
The little sleep I did get was spent tossing and turning, worrying about being able to get up on time. Apparently, the projection of that worry was made real as it was manifested in sleeping through my alarm. Waking up an hour and a half late is not the recommended method for looking fresh upon a new day.
Feeling beat down and worn out, I stepped out of the RV to find a surprise on my truck. Some Christmas Angel had found their way to me. This is not an easy feat, as there are less than a handful of people who even know where I am parked. I had not shared with anyone my situation or worry. In fact, I had been with friends just hours prior to this horrific storm of emotions and worries which beseeched me and brought its heavy downpour with it.
The evening before, my friends had taken my boy to participate in the shopping for Coins for Kids. Due to my son’s plans of attending falling through, some other friends had quickly stepped up and offered to take him with them (yes, I have amazing friends). When it was time for my friends to pick my boy up, we visited, caught up, laughed, and shared some time together before they left. The excitement from all that had happened was expressed with exuberance.
A pause in the conversation came and my boy quietly said to me, “All I want for Christmas will only cost a dollar or two.”
Not believing anything he would want was really only a “dollar or two” – I replied, “I REALLY don’t have ANY money.” I didn’t even ask what it was because I felt shame at not being able to provide anything for him. It came over me like a heavy cloud. Yet, this did not deter him.
He proceeded by stating, “All I want for Christmas this year is to wrap the presents we get for others at Coins for Kids.”
Can you believe this? What a spectacular answer. A genuine request representing everything a parent could hope for their child to get and understand in this world about the importance of giving and loving beyond one’s self. How could anyone deny such a perfectly stated selfless wish?
To which, I answered him in grand fashion, “I really need to work, as this month is proving very difficult.”
Yep, there was my reply. I shot him down. His selfless desire was crushed with my selfishness–to provide and make a life for the two of us! Not recognizing, in the moment, how great the life is we were already living. Here was the opportunity to show him gratitude and encourage him in his demonstration of it, and I botched it completely without even missing a beat.
To be honest, I think all of the things mentioned above came into play because I was feeling horrible for having replied this way and even more so for continuing to wallow in the difficulties rather than embracing the blessings I have.
So, as morning came and I exited the RV to face the world with disdain for its unfair treatment and cruelty, running late, and feeling no relief from the pressures I had been choosing to focus upon – I walked to my truck to be greeted by the gift from my Christmas Angel. Confused and bewildered, I just stared. My mind raced. Who and why? Then, it hit me.
Tears streaming down my face, I realized what I had been doing and that I needed to change was out of alignment. Instantly, a change in attitude and change of plans came over me. The Christmas Angel had stopped me long enough to allow me to pause and reflect upon what truly matters in this world. Providing the moment to get off the ‘Highway to Hell’ that I was blazing down full speed, I decided to find my way back to the route I have been determined to travel while encouraging others to travel it with me. You know the one where things of importance are noticed and appreciated? The one where people matter and connections are nurtured?
“We are going wrapping!” I quietly exclaimed to myself. Of course, I was going to have to stop crying first. The last place in the world I had intended on being was the very place I needed to be. I needed to share this with my boy. I needed to focus on what I do have and on helping others. This is where joy exists. This was a gift I could provide for my boy. However, I have to be honest; I think the gift was given to me.
It is so easy to get caught up in all the trials–we all face them–daily. They can be huge, don’t get me wrong. I am not minimizing the importance of responsibilities. I’m only claiming there are other things, seemingly little things that are truly the important things. If we can find the ability to recognize them and seize the opportunity to let them in–they become life changers.
The small material gift from the Christmas Angel is appreciated and will be used with gratitude. However, the gift of the moment and cause for being able to shift my paradigm is one that will be carried for the remainder of my days. It is the gift of presence, the one I wrote about and momentarily forgot that will remain in my heart. As I shared the experience, more angels joined and expressed their love. That is the beauty of love; it flows abundantly and can be experienced without being consumed. In fact, it grows when shared freely.
Even with no money, I have been blessed with a boy that gets it–the real importance of life. I have friends and angels in abundance demonstrating their love. We are blessed beyond any material item that could ever be purchased. We don’t even have a place to put material things in the limited space we live in anyway. But our tiny hearts were nurtured and magnified this Christmas Season.
My son shares his gratitude and has expressed his Christmas wish for next year: “Thanks to all of you for all the nice things you have said. I am so glad I have Dad and my dad has all of you. Friends and family is all that gets me through the day. The wrapping is hard but it pays off. Getting to know that all those kids get presents on Christmas morning brings all the Christmas joy I need to my heart. I hope that more people, and you people, will help next year. And, whoever you are out there that gave this to me and my dad, bless you throughout all your days. I am so grateful.”
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.
Make it count!
George Scott is a man of many talents and careers. Currently he is an aspiring artist in the art of communication, building community, and connecting. Although he has formal educational training, he prefers to learn his life lessons from the school of hard knocks. He is currently working on a third bachelors degree in rebuilding, rejuvenating and inspiring others. George can be found as the man on the street happily making new friends and sharing his wealth with the world. If you would like to contact him email [email protected]
