I’ve always found the spirit of giving present at Christmas to be among the season’s best qualities.
This year has been an especially awesome display in the Irish Capital of Texas with the upcoming Shop with a Cop, Cattle for Kids fundraiser at Dublin Livestock Auction, Toys for Tots boxes all around town, the Toy Ride on Dec. 2 and, of course, the Angel trees set up at Transformation Pathway/ CWJC for Dublin ISD students and assisted living residents.
Wyndi, my parents and I made the Angel Tree a family affair as all of us picked up an angel with fairly specific wants. If I’m honest, I spotted a fellow board game lover on my tag and grabbed that one.
Wyndi also grabbed an Angel that shared her interests as she saw one asking for books. An avid reader herself, she had fun curating an array of books that she thought would delight.
Mom and Dad also went to stores separately and started working hard to fulfill needs. Unfortunately, Wyndi helped me by picking up a few things for mine and didn’t notice I had picked up a girl’s tag so we had to return some more masculine apparel.
When she returned the items, she was told to mark out the barcodes so they couldn’t be returned. Her answer was simple and immediate: “Why?” I agree.
It feels good to give anonymously but we don’t know if the items we select are exactly what is needed/ wanted so why restrict someone’s ability to return something nice for the thing they need. Trust that the gift is right but don’t give with restrictions. That’s true generosity and it seems to be what I’ve witnessed in mass this year. Merry Christmas, Dublin community and thanks for all you do.