The meaning of Christmas…

Every year, when December comes, I try to think of ways to share with my son what Christmas really means. 

At 10 years old, Liam understands that Christmas is a precious moment to spend time with the people we love.  He also agrees that it’s a good time to say thank you to the people who have an important influence in our lives.

For me, December is also a month to think about others, especially people who are not as lucky and privileged as we are.  I always make a donation to a charitable organization in our area.  This year, Edith Vaillancourt has convinced me to help someone for Christmas instead of making a donation. I realize that the difference between a donation and helping someone is the story.

So Edith told me Z’s story….

Z is a teenager who has not had much luck in his life. Z was beaten and abandoned by both his parents. Z has recently had the chance to find a new home in his extended family.  X and Y have welcomed Z in their home. They have given him love and a family life despite their own life’s struggles.  Z is a good kid but he’s not a lucky kid. Z’s glasses are broken and there is no means to replace them right now.

Edith told me Z’s story and she convinced me that we needed to help him.

Stories are powerful…

I called Thomas Noel. I told him Z’s story. His answer was: bring him to my office and we’ll figure out something.

Last week, I called X and told her about my plan for her adopted son. She cried… I have not often felt the immense power of gratitude tears in my life. These tears, they went straight to my heart and made it bigger.

Today, I brought Z to Thomas’s office, just below the Eye institute in the Ottawa General Hospital. I also brought my son along. I wanted him to see what we could do with a bit of goodwill, a few hours and really good friends. I wanted him to see what charity means in real life.  Thomas gave Z his time and saw him during lunch hour.   It turns out that with his current glasses, Z doesn’t see clearly at all. He can’t even read what’s written on the chalkboard in his class.

This story does not end here, good stories are powerful…

So Thomas called his friend Eric. Thomas told Eric about Z’s story and he has agreed to help make a pair of glasses that will look good and see clearly.

This is the real meaning of Christmas I feel today. Be good. Spend time together. Say thank you. Think about others. Give freely to someone in need.

Thank you X and Y. You generously gave a child your home and your love. This is the most precious gift one could give to a kid.

Thank you Edith Vaillancourt, you had this idea and we made it happen together.  Your unbounded generosity and thoughtfulness to others is one of the many reasons I love you.

Thank you Thomas Noel and Eric (Riverside Optical Lab). For you, it’s a bit of time and a bit of profit that you give away but know that on the receiving end of your generosity is the most beautiful gift you could give a child: clear vision.

Thank you to you my friends who read my posts and share them when you agree with my messages.

I challenge you to be the meaning of Christmas in the next weeks, just do it, find someone that needs your help and just be kind and generous.

I wish you enjoy the month of December as much as I do.

Thank you!