Many years ago we started a project, where on Christmas Day, we would feed the under privileged. The first year we fed approximately 300 people. The last year (2008) that we ran the project, we fed 1500 people on Christmas Day. We had three feeding points in different squatter camps and we also handed out little gifts of face cloths, soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes at a TB Clinic.
My late father, who suffered from Alzheimers, came to live with us in 2009, and since then I have not had the time, energy or finances to continue running the project. The community has however started running a similar project, and they now fundraise themselves. For many years I cooked up to 50 turkeys, made salad and cooked rice… (I cannot handle the smell of turkey and my husband becomes nauseous when he has to carve turkey…) I suppose we are all turkeyed out….
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” ― Amy Wilson-Carmichael
We also visited the TB Clinic and gave the children in the Pediatric Section gifts. Young Elizabeth, an 11 year old girl, died two weeks later. She never let go of her Christmas Teddy Bear…
“Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them.”
― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind
“Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
When my dad came to live with us I had to stop many of my community projects. It broke my heart but I knew that it was my “family’s time” In the words of Mother THeresa – “Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.”
2012 will be a Christmas of making time for my family.
A couple of days ago Vic wistfully said “This is my last Christmas Mommy” I hope she is well enough to have a Christmas that her boys will treasure and remember for the rest of their lives. This may well be our last Christmas.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa
Vic's Final Journey 
Beautiful post.
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To misquote Shakespeare, giving ” blesses him that gives and him that takes”….what joyful pictures that also break the heart.. May you all have a very special sacred Christmas
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And you too dear Valerie. I hope things are better with your husband?
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thats a truckload of good there
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It was such an amazing priviledge!
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You are a gift of a human being.
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You are too kind Brave Katie!
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You have a lot to be proud of and look back on with pleasure, knowing you did the right thing. It is interesting that in that lovely photo, your father doesn’t look confused; I believe it often varies from hour to hour?
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Sometimes it is from minute to minute. My dad was such an intelligent man and fought AD hand, tooth and nail. He desperately clung onto his memories, his mind and his dignity. He charmed his way through all unknown territory and people. He was such a wonderful man and I am grateful that he developed Alzheimers pnuemonia.
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Wonderful sharing and giving.
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I miss those days. I will all the time bless the lord for such a time.
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