In today’s economy, it can be tough for to live comfortably within one’s means. For those working at minimum wage, it’s nearly impossible.
And when children are involved? Forget about it.
One poor mother scrimped and saved pennies all year in an attempt to make the holidays a little brighter.
But what she later discovered was more valuable than anything for sale at the mall.
In the following, posted by Old School, one little girl explains the true meaning of giving.
Here’s how it happened.
I was a single parent of four small children, working at a minimum-wage job. Although we were tight for money, we had a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs and, if not a lot, always enough. My children told me that in those days, they did not know we were poor. They just thought that I, their mother, was cheap. I had always been glad about that.
It was Christmas time and although there was not enough money for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with family, friends, parties and drives down to town to see the Christmas lights, special dinners and by decorating our home. It was that one time of the year where we would have fun and enjoy the holidays together. Most importantly was enjoying it as a family.
But the big excitement for the kids was the fun of Christmas shopping at the mall. They talked and planned for weeks ahead of time, asking each other and their grandparents what they wanted for Christmas. I dreaded it. I had saved $120 for presents to be shared by all five of us. I knew that was not enough but it would have to do.
The big day arrived, and we started out early. I gave each of my four children a twenty-dollar bill and reminded them to look for gifts about four dollars each. Not once had they ever mentioned that it was too little. For that, I felt relieved but always cautious that one day they would feel otherwise. Once everyone had their share, they scattered. They tried hard not to be seen by the others while shopping so that their gifts would be a secret.
