"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
~ Winston Churchill
This Christmas season will be the ONE we'll always remember.
In years past, we've turned our home office into Gift Wrapping Central, are stressed over finding that "perfect" gift on Christmas Eve and our Christmas tree is overflowing with so many gifts that it takes up a quarter of the living room!
This year, the Christmas tree WASN'T overflowing with gifts galore. In fact, there wasn't a single gift under it. Yet, it looked more beautiful than we've ever remembered. This year, we truly enjoyed the holiday season and spent it the way it should be: with Love, Family, Friends, Faith, Joy, Hope, Gratitude and the Spirit of Giving.
Our families began a wonderful tradition which we hope will be passed on for many generations to come. Instead of exchanging gifts to one another on Christmas, we combined the money which would have been used for gift shopping and used it to reach out to those in need in our community. The total was Astounding! With the hustle and bustle of Christmas and many trips to the Mall with a list, we don't quite realize how much we spend during this season.
Our family goal was to reach out to struggling farm workers. The winter seasons are the toughest months for them. With lack of work, providing for their families becomes harder than the work they do during the harvest months. Our collective efforts stocked a rural food pantry bringing Christmas dinners and groceries to 12 families! Two of the families we met personally. One was a young couple making a new start in the U.S. The other was a family of 10 who lived in a trailer in very modest conditions.
We hope to be able to do more next Christmas as well as throughout the year. This year, we've discovered the true meaning and Spirit of Giving. It's not about how glitzy, nor shining or of value a gift can be. A true gift comes from the heart and it's with love that gives it it's highest value.
The families weren't the only ones who received true gifts this year. We, too, receive them. This Christmas brought more of life's many gifts and blessings. It strengthened the Gift of Family, the Gift of Love, Hope, Faith, Gratitude, New Friendships and most importantly, the Gift of Giving. This is the start of something truly wonderful. We hope you'll join us throughout the year and into the next holiday season in celebration for the True Spirit of Giving.
Wishing you all a most memorable 2010 filled with more Love than you can imagine!
Many Blessings from our Family to Yours,
Roxanne and Hugo
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Hi Hugo and Roxanne - that sounds amazing and what a brilliant thing to do - .. lovely way to introduce Christmas to your young family and as you say you do benefit from giving .. much benefit and learning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a future you'll have with the two families .. you'll all have so much fun in the years ahead - so fantastic.
Glad to hear you're all well .. pics of Mum - on my blog .. we keep going - hope to see you for some play on the beach sometime! and to meet your new friends ..
with love Hilary Melton-Butcher
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Giving is next powerful habit after gratitude. In life, I've always known that we can't have what we can't give. Winston Churchill said it well by comparing life and living. Most people just are just living and they think that's the best they can have.
ReplyDeleteHello Hugo and Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time you had. To bring joy to others brings joy to your own life. Have a great 2010.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"
Hi. A priest once said When you are blessed you should be happy not because you have more and others have less but because God is using you to be a blessing to others (not the exact words but that's basically the whole point). Your family is truly blessed with good heart. More blessings. :)
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