When I was 8, my family was too poor to buy a gift for my class Christmas exchange. I wrapped one of my dad’s old books and gave it to my classmate, who had gifted me the latest Barbie. She cried when she saw my gift.
The next day, her mom came to school but surprised me with kindness. She gave me a bag of gifts—the Barbie’s car, a Ken doll, and clothes—and took me to my first-ever restaurant. Her daughter and I became close friends, and we remain friends even now, at 24.
That act of kindness showed me the magic of Christmas, and I now pay it forward every year to help children in need.
