After a day full of shopping for Christmas gifts, I sat down to eat dinner with my mom. We had the news on, like most nights, and were listening to all of the bad things going on in the world. But one reporter introduced a story that specifically touched my heart and reminded me what the giving season is all about.
It was about Prince Jackson, Michael Jackson’s 19-year-old son who attends Loyola Marymount in California. I’ve never really heard about him or what he does so just hearing his name and that he’s my age caught my attention.
He was explaining how he continues his dad’s philanthropy and gives back to those in need. Something that he does around this time of year is he has a Christmas party for less fortunate kids in his area. They all enjoyed Santa coming, dancing with friends, and tasty food. Throughout the night each kid wrote a letter “to Santa” explaining what they wanted for Christmas.
Prince shared one particular letter from one of the kids:
“All I want for Christmas is a present for my mom. She’s a cleaning lady and works long days and hours to provide for my siblings and myself. She comes home in pain and tired to the same worn down mattress that she’s had for 8 years. So the only thing I want for Christmas is a mattress for my mom.”
Ever since I heard that story I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Of course Prince was able to get the woman a new mattress but there’s so many other people in the world who experience these conditions.
We don’t even have to go far to see poverty, it’s right outside our doors.
So this holiday season when you’re asking for presents or getting presents for others, remember those in your community that want something as simple as a mattress, gloves, or warm blanket.
When you’re cleaning out your closet to make room for new clothing that you will be getting, donate your old clothes to an organization such as The Red Cross.
When you’re doing meal prep for your holiday feast, take the time to bring food that you may not need to your local food drive or The Salvation Army.
Think about how different your life would be if you just needed one gift for your mom and it was a mattress. How much more appreciative and humble you’d be. You don’t need to be rich like the Jacksons. You just need to give a little, that’s all people need.
