AN “almost” PERFECT CHRISTMAS By: Martin Masar

AN “almost” PERFECT CHRISTMAS
By: Martin Masar

Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a child to open the eyes of others. In September of 2011, as the leaves of fall were finding their way down to the ground, a group of children at CBR YouthConnect were having a group meeting. One of the youngsters indicated that he did not know the meaning of giving and sharing, because he had never experienced it in his life. He recalled his young years of disillusionment and distrust. He could not have prevented his birth or the years of testing and doctors all trying to help the struggling parents find an answer to his many behavior problems. It was suggested during the group that possibly by giving to others, in any way he felt comfortable, he might be able to experience the feeling of giving. The feeling when your heart swells a hundred times and you know – it was “almost perfect”. The group of children conjured up a plan to ask needed area families to come and participate in the annual CBRYC Christmas Party.
I suppose this is where I come in, as Executive Director my job was to find those needy families. I was certain I would have no trouble finding them and with the help of another service organization three families were eventually identified. We gently contacted each and asked if they would like to come to our Christmas party. We told them there would be plenty of gifts for the children and even gifts for the parents too – no one was to be left out this Christmas.
The families were overwhelmed and tearful. As the Holiday Season approached we began the preparations for the annual event, with planning, parades, and a myriad of other events and activities needing to be coordinated. Oh, and it was decided that no agency funds were to be used for these families. If this giving from our youth to these families were to occur, it would be from our hearts. In the lessons we learn, the greatest act of giving is that which comes from within. Finding that perfect place makes for an almost perfect Christmas.
In the weeks that followed, children and staff from CBR YouthConnect reached deep into their pockets and began purchasing items for the affectionately called “CBRYC Christmas Families”. One 12 year old youngster recalled he was once on the receiving end of this type of kindness. He reached into his pocket and produced a ragged torn one dollar bill. He placed it in the donation box and smiled. This act of kindness had a profound effect on all of us. Then, as if by some magical force from somewhere just beyond the Northpole the donations flooded in.
Several days prior to the annual event, staff members packed up several Christmas trees, lights and ornaments and took them to the family homes. We did not want the families go to another day without a Christmas tree and lights. In one home, found to be barely fit for the family, with plastic covered windows and other bits and pieces of life sewn together to hold the house intact, a child of maybe three or four answered the door.
The staff handed him the Christmas tree, lights and ornaments. His eyes burst open and not sure he was believing what he was seeing, he placed the tree box on the ground and laying beside it studied the picture of the Christmas tree. He excitedly shouted out, “Is this what I think it is - is this it – is this our Christmas tree?” The staff whose eyes were now filled with tears announced excitedly, “Yes, and lights too and ornaments – all for you and your Christmas tree!” The mother proud in her way, fought back tears as she tried in-vain to hush the Christmas spirit within the child.
As the child danced out his excitement, he paused only momentarily to ask his mother “is this now an almost perfect Christmas?” She wiped the tears from her eyes and gently caressing his face replied, “Yes, this is now an almost perfect Christmas.”
Oh, and on that night of nights, the CBRYC annual Christmas party, the children of CBRYC who masterminded this idea met the Christmas Families. It is in those moments, those unexpected times when the eyes of a four year old child meets with the eyes of a 10 year old, the boundaries of life fade and all to a suddenly they are but lifelong friends - drawn together by the magical spirit of Christmas.
It wasn’t until after the festivities were over, the meal devoured, and the gifts unwrapped, that one youngster who had been rather vocal about his experiences with giving approached me. “Nice night Mr. Masar?” he asked. I replied, “Almost perfect, you agree?” He stared away, somewhere beyond the Northpole to a magical and wonderful place and said, “Naw, it was perfect.”
*It takes the kindness of others to reach deep into their pockets and support our children. It takes you. Become the “U” in YouthConnect. Please help CBR YouthConnect. Visit our web-site at cbryouthconnect.org.

**In 2011, 90% of the children residing at CBR YouthConnect, voluntarily reached into their hearts and donated from their meager bank accounts to the CBRYC Christmas Families. For the staff this generous act of giving by the children in their care – was indeed priceless and yes, A Perfect Christmas.

This entry was posted on 20. December 2011 at 22:14 and is filed under CBR Staff, Family, Youth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.