My favorite 2008 Christmas moment

How fast time flies! We have been preparing and excited for Christmas…and now it has passed. New year is up next on the list! So many great memories for Christmas…how fun it was and how happy I was with all the gatherings with family and friends! Isn’t it fun to celebrate with our loved ones?

But my favorite Christmas memory is with someone I don’t know personally.

Every year, I prepare candies and crispies to give away to street children I pass along while going to and from work (and when I go out). This year though, I just concentrated on giving away crispies because it seemed that those children appreciated these more. Anyway, this year, I noticed that  I barely see these children anymore. As a result, days to Christmas, I have given crispies to only 3 children. Where the heck are they???

So, I resolved to other measures. I just bought noche buena food and picked two people I would give them to. The first one was our neighborhood ice cream man. He’s ourt favorite.

Now, for my favorite memory: The second one I gave the food to was the gasoline man who always put air in my tires. Almost every week, I would pass by Shell in Better living, and every time, he’s there. He already knows the pressure of my tires, and no need to ask anymore. What struck me the most about him is that he was so hardworking (he might have needed a shoulder pain pump for all the work he’s doing) and yet he always smiles, as if providing service is a pleasure for him. So I said to myself, someday, I’d like to do something good for this man.

Last week, I went to Shell one afternoon. Seeing me, he approached immediately [with a smile] saying, “Mam, 30 po diba?” And I told him, “Kuya, di po ako magpapahangin. Ibibigay ko lang po ito sa inyo.” And I handed him the food. If I could summarize Christmas happiness in one moment, it would be that. The look on his face is something I will never forget. He looked so happy that all he was able to say was, “Thank you Mam,” with tears almost falling. As I left the station, I looked at him from the side mirror and saw him still staring at the noche buena package. It might have been a problem for him to find the money to buy noche buena for his family, but now, no problem anymore! His family will be having noche buena! Grabe! I was so happy. My heart was full again and I also almost cried out of happiness. I decided to do this every year!

Aaaahhh, Christmas is indeed a time for giving!

*****

Speaking of giving, what also made this Christmas memorable was the new friends I made through blogging.

Thanks to jeannie, yeine, and jo for the goodies. Super love ko lahat! As in!

Thanks to kayni and dyanie for the cards and the notes you sent. [You know, I also have cards for you but I haven’t dropped them yet…I am the queen of tamad talaga. He! He! Sana kahit late, ok pa din sa inyo!]

And thanks to sheng for the gift and card, especially your message. I was so touched. Thanks so much dear!

There! Christmas is not yet over. So sa mga gusto humabol, pwede pa! He! He! Kahit love ok na!