What makes this time of year so special?
When winter comes Minneapolis Loring Park
Is it the holiday decorations?
Holiday shopping?
Egg Nog?
Hot Cocoa ( with marshmallows )?
Hallmark movies and books?
Family photos or selfies with your hunny bunny?
Well to some, it means all of those things and more while to others, it means nothing at all.
Christmas Tree Minneapolis Summit House
For me, it means more than just holiday decorations, taking photos and watching Hallmark movies .
This time of year means to give.
And not just Christmas presents to my friends and family.
It means giving time, love, a helping hand, food, or a toy or book to a child who may not get a gift for Christmas.
Now, I know that we can and should give and share with others everyday but when the holiday season rolls around, it’s even more important because they’re a lot of people who go without food and thousands of children who don’t have anything to open on Christmas Day.
Why is that important to me?
Signs of Winter Lyndale Bridge Over pass Minneapolis, MN
Because as fortunate as I am now to have a great career in photography, and a home full of warmth and love and plenty of food in the fridge, it wasn’t always like that because, I did not come from a family that had a lot of money.
Growing up, I remember times when my Mother could not afford to buy me a Christmas gift and I remember times when we had to get food from the food shelf of our church so, I know what it feels like to go without. And when you’re a kid, that’s hard to deal with and understand.
So, ever since I’ve been able too, I not only give to the Minnesota Food Shelf, I buy toys and books to give to non-profit organizations and churches during the holiday season. I know I can’t feed everyone and I can’t give a toy or a book to every child in the world ( as much as I’d love too ) however, at least I can make sure that one child has a gift to open on Christmas Day and one family gets to eat because if you’ve never been hungry or gone without, you have NO IDEA what it feels like to wake up with nothing to eat and even worse, have no gifts to open on Christmas morning.
Now, I know, Christmas is NOT supposed to be about getting gifts but, try explaining that to a child when everyone they know is talking about all of the cool gifts they got for Christmas and they didn’t get ANYTHING. It’s heart breaking and sad and if it were up to me, no child would EVER go without food or a gift to open on Christmas Day.
Now, I’m not here to brag about my giving during the holiday season , make anyone feel bad , nor am I looking for praise or awards because I like to give.
I share this with you with the hope that it will encourage you to give back this season in any way you can because there is ALWAYS someone else in need.
And if you don’t have money or, you’re on a strict budget, here’s a few examples of things you can do that don’t involve money at all!
You can volunteer your time, you can donate books or clothing ( that you no longer need ) to a church or any non-profit of your choice. You can cook a meal for a friend or someone in need. You can volunteer at a nursing home and read to the elderly. You can help someone make homemade ornaments to decorate their tree or their home. They’re so many things that you can do too give back.
Giving back is so important and I don’t know about you but, it feels good to give.
So, as you plan your holiday get togethers, your holiday meals and shopping list, try to think of ways to give back because even if you can only give a little, remember, the small amount that you give, can make a huge impact on someone’s life, even if it’s once a year!
“Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have”