Never too broke for Christmas
By Annabel Callos Choy
UNLIKE MOST FAMILIES that observe the traditional gift-giving on Christmas Day, my family seldom, if not never, gave Christmas presents to each other. This “no-giving” routine had been customary for us. That was why I was a surprised last year when my brothers told me about giving our parents a Christmas present. I immediately felt the excitement enveloping me. The thought of “giving” suddenly became exhilarating for me.
Normally, people get excited about the gifts that they are about to receive for Christmas but I felt the opposite. The whole experience of shopping for a surprise gift for my parents was something new to me. Naturally, I was thrilled and delighted at the prospect of “giving” for the first time.
We brainstormed for a memorable and useful present and it took us awhile to come up with the “perfect” gift. We had our reservations at first because it was a bit expensive which meant, personally, I would burn a hole in my pocket when it was time to make my contribution. But it did not matter because it was worth it.
But just when I had my financial concerns addressed and actually had the money for my contribution, a friend called up to borrow some money for a brother who was in the hospital due to a terrible accident. My friend’s family had already sought help from all their friends and relatives. I knew how much she needed my help but I also needed the money for myself. It was definitely a hard decision to make but in the end my own interest took the better of me. Denying her request was one of the most difficult and heartbreaking thing I have done in my life.
On Christmas Eve, while having our Noche Buena, I sat down thinking if I made the right decision. Everyone around me was happy, especially my parents who were elated upon seeing their present. Everyone was in a good mood, except me. A part of me felt guilty and ashamed. I thought to myself , “how can I enjoy the company of good cheers knowing there was a family-a family that I refused to help– out there weeping this Christmas season?” Somehow, it didn’t fit the equation of the Christmas spirit - the spirit of giving.
The next morning I told my parents everything. When my mother learned about this, she told me “But how could you? With the money you spent to buy my present, you should never be too broke for a needing friend this Christmas.”
She gave me some money and I immediately went to the hospital to visit my friend and her brother. Upon seeing me, my friend greeted me with the sweetest smile. Her smile was more rewarding than the smile my parents had when they opened their presents.
That Christmas taught me a valuable lesson. I was so engrossed with the whole idea of giving that I almost totally forgot to give.
Tags: christmas
