A Christmas Family - The Delivery

I had to know delivery day couldn't go off without a hitch.  The night before I had spent wrapping some of the donations and well...someone took a tag and didn't deliver so, the girl from work helping me and I made the executive decision to take some of the money donated  to fill the propane tank and buy dad his winter coat.  We also found the coat donated for mom was the wrong size which put me in a frenzy to fix it.  Thankfully, a friend heard of my last minute problem and came through with flying colors.

I arrived to work that morning to a few last minute donations under our tree.  I ran out for wrappings for those as well.  For all we did, these glitches were so small.

We were organizing all of the stuff for delivery and someone (not me) got the idea to take the bikes for a ride down the hallway, and thankfully she did because we found out the girl's bike was broken!   We have a few cyclists in our department and we had them come look at the bike, see if it was a quick fix.  I was getting nervous, it was 10AM and we were planning to leave by 11AM.  There was no other option, the bike couldn't be fixed.  The guys ran back to the store to exchange it.  God sure has a plan, and even though it's something so small, you know he still had his hand it.  They had another bike in stock, only a darker color.  They got back just in time to load the bikes in a truck and go!

When we arrived at the house, I didn't know where to begin.  I didn't want to offend the family.  I didn't want them to feel insulted or embarrassed for their situation.  The group with me was great.  We did a few introductions and just unloaded.

It was 5 days before Christmas when we delivered and I remember looking around their house that morning, it seemed so empty, warm but, empty.  They didn't have a Christmas tree up and not that they needed to have one but, I was so glad we brought one with us to give to them.  It didn't take long to fill their home with donations.  We had stuff in the garage, the kitchen, the dining room, anywhere we could put it.  Watching the faces of this family while we all unloaded the trucks.  I was thinking of the kids, the older ones were in school while we were there, I couldn't help but to wonder how excited they'd be when they came home.  They left this same empty home that morning and we came in and filled it up!  The little ones just watched us in awe.

I think of the parents, opening that gift of $1000 paid on their propane for the winter.  I think of them not having to buy what we think of as small, essentials for their home for awhile and how much relief that gave to them.  Could you imagine?  These three trucks rolling into your yard and unloading Christmas gifts for you and your children, food for your dog, a Christmas tree with decorations, laundry soap, pottie paper.  And they paid your freaking heat bill!!!

A lot of tears were shed in that little house that afternoon.  I'm sure there were more I didn't see.  At one point, all of my helpers had to walk out and these were some pretty tough eggs I brought with me.  We all went out to lunch after and each one of them thanked me for allowing them to be a part of this experience.  They all said they would do it again next year.

Through this experience, I had many people thank me for doing this, for putting this together.  I didn't know how to respond.  I didn't do much.  I saw a need and asked for help to fill it.  As human beings, as a Christian, didn't I do what I was supposed to do?  I felt I had so many more people to thank, all of those who helped me to make is possible.  This experience has given me the larger gift.  I learned such valuable lessons in humility, judgement, perception, and even generosity.  I truly feel I have come out a better person for it.  I can't wait to do it again next year!  And I will.