Today, in my head and at home, it\u2019s real Christmas.<\/p>\n
No. I didn\u2019t receive any gifts.
\nI didn\u2019t decorate a Christmas tree.
\nI didn\u2019t bake gingerbread cookies.
\nThe house doesn\u2019t smell of apple pie.
\nIt hasn\u2019t snowed.<\/p>\n
Today was just a regular workday, during which my husband and I finally visited a family we want to make Christmas better for this year.
\nA couple of months ago, I posted on my account that we were looking for a family in need of help.
\nDo you know how many people responded to my post?
\nExactly zero.<\/p>\n
True, some charitable funds and organizations offered to support them, and then they would distribute the money to those who need it most. Somehow. I\u2019m an older, skeptical \u201cauntie,\u201d and sometimes I stop trusting intermediaries in the distribution of kindness\u2014and the sums that supposedly reach the recipients.<\/p>\n
So I didn\u2019t give up. I remembered a classmate from school who recently has been working a lot with underprivileged families. When I first messaged her on Facebook, she immediately replied that she would soon send me a few families I could choose from.
\n\u201cChoose?\u201d
\n\u201cChoose who needs it most?\u201d<\/p>\n
I thought it would be very hard.
\nBut only thought so.
\nIt wasn\u2019t hard.<\/p>\n
The first call ended quickly because the young woman\u2019s energetic voice on the other end answered concisely when I asked what they needed most: EVERYTHING.
\n\u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n
When I asked how many children they had, the answer hit me like a blow to the heart: I couldn\u2019t just gather money and give it to her, because what I heard shook me as a mother.
\n\u201cI have three. One lives with me, and two with their father,\u201d she said, her voice tinged with frustration because there was constant drinking at that home, so the kids usually came to her. So realistically, three.<\/p>\n
A mother placing her children on different \u201cshelves\u201d? Leaving two where there\u2019s drinking?
\nThrough my prism, I realized that even if I lived in a tent under a leafless tree, all my children would live together. No discussion.<\/p>\n
The second call I made reached a different voice. A woman who had suffered a stroke spoke with difficulty. It was tricky to understand her at first. We arranged to meet.
\nWe met today.<\/p>\n
A year after her stroke, the woman sits in a wheelchair. Living with her is her 11-year-old son. A boy who had to grow up overnight and become the head of the family.
\nThe family\u2019s income comes from the mother\u2019s disability allowance, which is currently delayed due to some expired certificate.<\/p>\n
I mainly wanted to talk to the teenage boy, who says he doesn\u2019t really lack anything. His biggest worry is the bailiffs, constantly pressing him over a \u201crabbit journey\u201d debt that has now grown into 50 euros. Everything else is small.
\n\u201cShoes?\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019ll manage.\u201d
\n\u201cJacket?\u201d
\n\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll still wear the old one.\u201d<\/p>\n
We found the family at home. The mother goes nowhere else. The boy, forced to grow up too early, wasn\u2019t at school today because he caught a cold.
\n\u201cDo you have medicine?\u201d I asked.
\n\u201cYes,\u201d he replied, pointing to a paracetamol blister.
\n\u201cDo you need anything more serious?\u201d
\nHe shook his head: no, not necessary.<\/p>\n
But what can you do with 5 euros in your pocket?
\n5 euros.<\/p>\n
My husband and I left silently, holding that young hand with money for a full meal and a better tomorrow.
\n\u2026We promised to come back.<\/p>\n
After our boutique \u201cLittle Christmases.\u201d
\nFor many years we\u2019ve had a beautiful tradition: at our boutique, we invite the visitors who know us best and care the most. We could invite many more, but our little love-filled corner, like a tiny elf\u2019s house, can only fit so many.
\nSo when we send invitations to a few, we feel slightly guilty about the others. But we bow our heads low\u2014and hope for understanding.<\/p>\n
Every year, visitors would bring various treats and gifts.
\nI would sit like a little muffin after the party, devouring with my eyes the pile of your love for me. I felt so blessed and happy. Then I\u2019d take that pile of love home\u2026 almost in my arms.<\/p>\n
But last year, I realized something changed in my heart. And despite being overwhelmed by your attention and gifts, I decided that Christmas is not about that.
\nSo last year, I dared to ask the participants of Little Christmas to hand over their money for my gift\u2026 which I wouldn\u2019t do.
\n\u201cHold the money tightly in your hand and bring it.\u201d<\/p>\n
That evening, I gave the collected kindness to a fund for children with cancer. And I felt Christmas.<\/p>\n
This year, I continue the beautiful tradition.
\nAnd in my heart, Christmas sparkled even brighter when I personally met the family whose eyes today shone with anticipation and joy when they heard the promise that we would return.<\/p>\n
And in my eyes, Christmas sparkled too.
\nEven though I was very focused during the meeting.
\nOn the way back, that sparkle rolled down my cheek.
\nAnd probably seeped into my heart.<\/p>\n
Touch Christmas.
\nIt\u2019s gentle.
\nAnd it rolls down your cheeks straight into your heart.
\nAnd when you give\u2014you get so much back.
\nMiracles. No other way.<\/p>\n
From Thursday, the boutique will have a box where anyone can drop a note with their wish. We promise to forward every last cent to the new friends we visited today.<\/p>\n
V.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-17532","istorija","type-istorija","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/viktorijos.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/istorija\/17532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/viktorijos.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/istorija"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/viktorijos.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/istorija"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/viktorijos.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}