An act of receiving turns into one of giving

Had I not gone through the painful experience of not being able to give my own children a tree this Christmas, I would have never known the grief other single mothers feel during this time of year when they can’t get a tree for their kids.

There is nothing more demeaning and devastating than getting up and going to work every day, being a good person, and having the holidays make you feel like you’re failing your children … but you don’t want to be a burden or appear needy to others.

But God has already blessed me through my pain.

A friend bought my kids a tree and offered to donate a tree to another single mother in need via my blog. I started out with one tree to donate. But then friends, neighbors, and the non-profit Kids Play NOLA saw my blog post and donated three more trees, decorations, tree stands, and toys, so I was able to deliver Christmas cheer to four families instead of just one! In all, 16 children and four mothers were positively impacted.

The tree giveaway was inspired from my pain and done at the last minute this year. However, plans are already in the works to start the giveaway earlier next year so that we can provide live trees, decorations and toys to more single mothers.

So next year, I won’t be driving around by myself delivering Christmas cheer; I’ll have help. And the number of single moms I’ll be able to help will multiply. And it will be an annual event going forward.

Ain’t God good?

It was a wonderful experience to be able to give back to our community and make Christmas a little merrier for these four families.

You cannot put a price on the hugs, tears of joy, and smiles of the children and mothers who would not have had a Christmas tree this year had it not been for the kindness of strangers. I’m so glad God chose me to do his work and surrounded me with angels to help!

After the holidays, we will donate the used Christmas trees to the Coastal Restoration Project to help save our coastline.

Pictures of the families will be posted on my blog http://www.hotchristiangumbo.com/2011/12/20/christmas-tree-winners/ as soon as trees are decorated.

Happy holidays and much prosperity for the new year!