Readers share spirit of giving
Christians believe God gave the world his son on Christmas, while three wise men began a tradition of gift-giving that marks the day. Other traditions include gifts from early December through early January. Some gifts come from shopping malls, others are simple gestures. Readers share stories of gift-giving that exemplify the spirit of the season.
The greatest, most precious gift I ever received didn’t come wrapped in pretty paper and adorned with bows, and I didn’t receive it during the Christmas season. I was surprised by its arrival on Easter Sunday 2006.
The family of a 17-year-old boy named Reynaldo generously allowed their son to be an organ donor. I received his two beautiful, healthy lungs. My thoughts, thanks and prayers are with this family every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your son with me.
I am celebrating my ninth Christmas post-transplant with my family, which would not have been possible had I not received the most beautiful gift of all.
The gift of life cannot be purchased and will always be cherished by the fortunate ones who receive it. To be the giver of the best gift possible, please consider signing up to be an organ donor. It is the most wondrous gift to give any day and any season throughout the year.
— Carole Williams, Fort Worth
David and Donna Matney, after installing Christmas lights across the street at the home of David’s parents, appeared at my door, complete with lights and ladder.
“We’re here to put up your lights!”
This wonderful Christian couple went right to work like Santa’s elves and finished shortly before 10 p.m.
This is not the first time David and Donna have done for others. They are continually helping where there is a need.
They also help just to help, even though most folks would say there is no need. It’s Christmas year-round for this team!
— Peggy Thomas, Fort Worth
Our Granny Milam adored Christmas. Living with limited resources in a tiny farming community, she spent the year preparing.
This consisted of drinking lots of instant Sanka with the red lids. She scrubbed, dried and stored each jar. Then she gradually bought big bags of M&Ms.
As Christmas approached, she filled each sparkling Sanka jar with those M&Ms and put a bow on top. Then she loaded them in her car along with her homemade cheese balls and went from neighbor to neighbor with good wishes for a “Merry Christmas”— and it was just that to so many youngsters and elderly friends!
Edie Milam, Mansfield
My friends and neighbors in the Mistletoe Heights, Berkeley Place, Park Hill and Forest Park area are the true meaning of Christmas.
Tess G. first started “Cheryl’s Wonderful Christmas” (as I call it). This year, Len B. and Nancy G, friends, came to my workplace and sang Christmas carols and had signs that said “Merry Christmas, Cheryl.”
I feel like George Bailey from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. So many people coming by and saying “Merry Christmas,” bringing baked goods, gift cards and Christmas cards.
I don’t have everyone’s name to thank, and one person said “Some people don’t want you to know. They just want to bless you.”
I thank God because God touched so many people to be a blessing to me. Thank you Mistletoe Heights, Berkeley Place, Park Hill and Forest Park residents who truly know the meaning of Christmas.
— Cheryl Gay, Fort Worth
We once took three of our special needs friends to my mother’s home for a Christmas Eve party. John, a blind guest, was the sole caregiver for another guest, his elderly mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Our friend, Tom, had cerebral palsy and could not walk.
As we left my mother’s home, snowflakes were gently falling. Our boys looked up into the face of their father, who was carrying Tom in his arms.
Around 30 years have passed since that special Christmas Eve. Yet recently, at another Christmas party here in our home, my husband helped another young man who has Down Syndrome with his wheelchair.
Gift-giving is giving what we have to love others; it could be just a hug that says, “I love you. I care.”
And isn’t that what true “Merry Christmas” and gift-giving is, anyway?
— Sandy and Jim Russell, Hurst
It was a gift not wrapped in a pretty package; in fact, I was uncomfortable when it came.
Twenty or so years ago our family attended a meager house church here in Fort Worth. As I stood talking with the pastor’s wife at Christmas time, she noticed a small, bedraggled child who had fallen asleep on the floor in the children’s area. He was dirty and not warmly dressed.
The pastor’s wife took her pretty coat off and tenderly laid it upon the sleeping child.
I was ashamed; I knew in my heart that I would not have done what this loving woman did. This gift exemplified the love of Christ and it has never been forgotten.
— Deirdre Petty, Fort Worth
Two people who exemplify the true spirit of Christmas don’t wait for the holidays to share with others.
The retired pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Fort Worth, George Crittenden and his wife, Edith, visit more than 30 rest homes and retirement homes every month.
They share a greeting and sometimes leave the Salvation Army literature with shut-ins.
At Christmas, the Crittendens prepare gifts for the people they visit, taking items that can be used by the folks they go to see. This is done out of their own pockets.
The Crittendens are not wealthy but give to brighten the lives of those who might not receive presents. They make Christmas special for some who otherwise might be forgotten.
— Camille Hess-Lewis, Arlington
When our daughter was 4, my husband was laid off and we didn’t have money to spend on gifts.
I sew, so I dug through my scrap fabric and made some dress-up outfits for her present. I shared with my women’s group that I had prayed that my daughter wouldn’t notice that we didn’t have much under our Christmas tree.
At the next meeting, a woman who I only knew to say hello to asked me to follow her out to her car. She opened the trunk, and it was full of wrapped Christmas presents. She asked me to please accept the gifts because it gave her so much pleasure to shop for my daughter.
It was 24 years ago and I am still touched by her generous spirit as I help others as she helped me.
— Terri A. Malavear, Arlington
At William James Middle School in the Fort Worth school district, we have a Bear Angel Tree.
Faculty and staff “adopt” students and provide them with clothes and a small “fun” gift. This was my fourth year of helping make a student’s Christmas memorable.
When I share, I feel joy and peace.
— Judith Yarbro, Benbrook
We gave our sweet housekeeper a bonus for Christmas.
She mailed some back to us in a Christmas card with a gift card to our favorite eating place.
That’s the spirit of giving to me!
— Glida Pitts, Bedford
This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Readers share spirit of giving."