One of my friends founded a charity with her husband called There Really is a Santa Claus and I was so happy to participate this year. We grew up sponsoring families through the Share a Christmas at Grace Church and it is so important for us to continue the tradition and to teach Eloise (and George) about the true meaning of Christmas. We received our assignment and I picked Eloise up from school one day this week to go shopping for a 5 year old little girl. The letter to Santa was sent from her dad and is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. He is asking for necessities for his daughter like a winter coat, boots, warm clothes, undies, plus learning toys and board games. He tells in the letter about her mom, his wife, who is terminally ill. This will be their last Christmas together. He asks for help to make his daughter happy this Christmas saying that it would make he and his wife the happiest parents ever, "the best present Santa could grant for her last wish". The thought that we could help with that in any way is overwhelming...I pray we can. I'll be thinking about their family this Christmas, and undoubtedly throughout the year too. It's another reminder of my families many blessings. Not what's wrapped under the tree, but who surrounds it. Continued health and happiness for our family - there is nothing more to ask for.
"And so then, my darling, wherever you roam,
may you always be safe...may you always comes home.
For as long as the world still spins and still hums,
wherever you are, and no matter what comes,
the best part of Christmas will always be...
you beneath my Christmas tree."
-The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
