December was a very busy month for me. The Relief Society was in charge of the ward Christmas party. We had a good committee and lots of help, but it still weighed heavily on my mind and took up a lot of time. I was pleased with how it all went and grateful for so many people's help.
After that, there was the Relief Society party to plan and execute. I didn't seem to have room in my brain to focus on this until the ward party was finished. Again, we had a committee of people to help; together we quickly made a plan and pulled it off. I think it was a good night for everyone who came.
Hampers were the other big job (well, besides the stubbornly persistent need to go to work every day and to get ready for our own Christmas). I've always felt like I'm not very good at hampers. I don't like shopping and I'm an under-buyer, so the idea of buying things people might not buy because of financial constraints is hard for me to work around mentally. I'm not one to splurge a lot, even for other people. I did get some help though, and somehow, we got them organized on time.
All through the month I felt kind of bad because I really didn't think I was feeling the real spirit of Christmas. Instead, I was working through a massive to-do list that never seemed to end. However, it all came together on Christmas Eve. We gave one of the hampers to a single mom in our ward. Her five‑year‑old boy had received one present. We brought him two more, which he loved, and it was super fun to watch him enjoy those. He seemed satisfied with his one gift prior to the ones we brought, but there had been no presents for his mom. He was so happy to see her receive TWO presents. We told him that Santa had asked us to deliver them. Those were the only presents they received. His mom texted me later that this was the best Christmas she had had in years and that she was so grateful. I was quite humbled, and tears came easily as I thought about the abundance so many enjoy without realizing how simple other people's Christmases are.
I was grateful to finally have felt the real meaning of Christmas and to learn again how serving others is what it is all about.
All through the month I felt kind of bad because I really didn't think I was feeling the real spirit of Christmas. Instead, I was working through a massive to-do list that never seemed to end. However, it all came together on Christmas Eve. We gave one of the hampers to a single mom in our ward. Her five‑year‑old boy had received one present. We brought him two more, which he loved, and it was super fun to watch him enjoy those. He seemed satisfied with his one gift prior to the ones we brought, but there had been no presents for his mom. He was so happy to see her receive TWO presents. We told him that Santa had asked us to deliver them. Those were the only presents they received. His mom texted me later that this was the best Christmas she had had in years and that she was so grateful. I was quite humbled, and tears came easily as I thought about the abundance so many enjoy without realizing how simple other people's Christmases are.
I was grateful to finally have felt the real meaning of Christmas and to learn again how serving others is what it is all about.
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