My Favorite Holiday Memory

My favorite holiday memory as a child is centered around Christmas morning. My sister and I always shared a room Christmas eve, so we woke each other up in the morning. We would sneak down at 6 a.m. and giggle nervously at all the presents Santa brought. Finally our parents would wake up and we'd go bananas. The best part was our dog, Sheeba. Every year, she would burrow under the wrapping paper. Christmas wasn't complete without a photo of her with a bow atop her head.

As a parent, my best Christmas was last year. My son was four and my daughter was two. Their father's mother came to visit, so we had her presents, plus the Santa presents. I didn't have a lot of money last year, but friends, family, and a local charity called Christmas Anonymous all pitched in and helped with presents. The look on my children's faces were unforgettable. It makes me cry just thinking about it. They came bounding down the stairs and halted in awe. My little girl looked at me and all she could say was "Santa!" The next thing I knew I was on the floor; both kids, instead of diving into their presents, ran to me and tackled me to the floor.

Earlier that month, I had had no idea what I was going to do for my children for Christmas. I was separated from my husband, earning just enough to keep the lights on, and things were really tight. The kids needed clothes, they wanted Transformers and baby dolls, and I had no idea how I was going to provide them with those things. I couldn't bear to see disappointment on their faces on such a special day. I cried at Wal-Mart when I realized I didn't have enough money for the Cabbage Patch doll for my daughter and the Hot Wheels set my son wanted.

It turned out that I didn't have to worry. My tree was overflowing with presents. It was a perfect morning. My children didn't have to find out on Christmas morning that we were poor. My heart sang with gladness.

I know that Christmas isn't about presents, but rather about giving. Those people who helped me last year gave of their hearts to help my kids have the best Christmas ever. I will never forget them or their generosity. They truly were my Christmas angels.