This has been a year of wonderful giving for me.
There was a guy that works at our local convenience center (trash collection point). One day he told me how he had gone to the Portapotty, when a wasp buzzed him. He swatted the wasp, and he caught his cross necklace. It flew straight down the hole - perfect swish! Unfortunately, it was given to him by his dad - a pastor - who had blessed it and given it to him before he left for Vietnam. I told him that when he got another necklace, I would be happy to bless it for him, and he was very happy to hear it.
Making a long story short, he never asked for the blessing, so I asked if he had gotten a new necklace yet, and he told me that family members had told him they would do it, but never had. I realized that he was farther down on his luck than I thought, so I told him I would get one to replace his, which was a gold cross. I found a nice one and presented it to him, and then blessed it before he put it on. He was so thrilled, and I was happy that he could still feel that connection with his dad. I was also really happy to see his joy. It made my day, as much as his.
I also bought Santa gifts for my grandchildren this year, because my daughter and son-in-law had just bought a new house and then racked up a few medical bills. I managed to pay off a bill that was overdue, and then I was able to be with them to babysit and buy dinner for a night out.
It's been a great Christmas.