Tears of pride stung my eyes as I watched my teenage son and daughter walk up our driveway. They were both laughing and teasing each other. My son held a little hatchet in his hand that he had borrowed from his uncle. They both had socks on their hands to keep them warm. They were off to the woods to find the family Christmas tree. I had sadly told them that Christmas looked pretty bleak as another divorce was pending, and being a college student, our money was very limited. There was no money for a Christmas tree and not much for presents either. My kids assured me not to worry and that they would find a tree in the woods.
They returned with laughter carrying a rather scrawny and sad looking little tree. It was a Charlie Brown’s Christmas kind of tree. With enthusiasm, they decorated the little tree, and the tree listed a little to one side with the weight of the ornaments. With tears in my eyes, I apologized to them that I did not have many presents to put under the tree. Undaunted, my son claimed he had a remedy for that. He wrapped empty boxes with Christmas wrapping paper and carefully arranged them under the tree. They were beautiful empty packages.
I was amazed! My kids had always been pretty spoiled at Christmas. In previous Christmas’s they always had long lists of what they wanted. They told me the most important thing to them was that we were together and a family, and that presents weren’t a necessity. I learned a lesson that day from my children regarding the spirit of Christmas. The love of your family is the most cherished gift we can possess. I was so proud of the love and wisdom that shone from their eyes. It was the best Christmas we ever had.
Sharon Robinson
Tags: Sharon Robinson
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