This precious little girl touched me to the core and I want to tell you about her today. Just last week I was visiting New Life Home again. New Life is a local faith-based drug and alcohol rehab for women and their children that holds a very special place in my heart. For nearly a decade I’ve participated in a benefit for New Life at Christmas time. My friends and I raise funds for the home, but the courageous stories of recovery and transformation we hear always bless us far more than we could ever bless these amazing women.
Following is a true Christmas story that happened to me at New Life a few years ago: The Gift of Giving.
Oh I’d heard it before. “Out of the mouths of babes.” And “a little child shall lead them…” I’d heard it, but never really experienced it firsthand. Not like this anyway.
She was a beautiful little girl with saucy blue eyes, golden curls, just four. Her name was Carly. Her courageous mom, along with the other residents, worked ’round the clock to get back on track in life. The privately funded rehab center receives no government funding, yet allows children to live at the home with their moms during treatment.
I regularly spent time with Carly and her mom at the rehab home on Saturday mornings where I taught a Kindermusik class for the participants and children. Music class was an attempt to bring a tiny window of normalcy to a regimented treatment routine. A chance for moms and kids to laugh and bond through music. It was a joy to be included in a small part of the healing process.
Carly was a bright spot in the class. Her eyes sparkled and she loved life. She participated wholeheartedly in each activity, thoroughly enjoying the music class. Her sweet little laugh could melt your heart in an instant. Mischievous too, I never knew quite what she might have up her sleeve.
It was Christmas time. A group of us volunteers arrived at the home to pile Christmas presents under the tree for the residents and children. Several of the kids were milling around when we arrived, Carly included. She was ecstatic about that stack of gifts. And truth be told, so was I. There’s nothing so much fun as giving, and I was thrilled to be delivering the stash.
There were Christmas hugs all around as the gifts were delivered. We eventually said our goodbyes and headed for the door when little Carly rushed up.
“Miss Allie, Miss Allie! I have a very special present, just for you.” She bubbled with excitement.
“Wait a minute, it’s up in my room.”
Off she bounded, her light footsteps echoing on the stairs. Back in a flash, her eyes danced, her hands behind her back.
“Now close your eyes. Tight! And open your hands!” Her little voice quivered with anticipation.
I did as I was told. Whatever she closed my hands around was small and light. Very light.
I opened my eyes: a pink hair curler. Actually, just half a curler.
Carly’s countenance beamed, as if she’d gifted a two-carat diamond. Close enough. Overwhelmed, moved, and misty-eyed, I thanked her. Out of her very little, she gave.
Sweet little Carly taught me a giving lesson that day. A lesson I knew in my head, but not in my heart. That it’s truly not the gift. Or the wrapping. It’s the tender, joyful giving spirit of a beautiful heart.
Said O. Henry, in The Gift of the Magi, she “sacrificed the treasure of [her] house” for me. The Gift of the Magi
From so little came so much… the true spirit of Christmas.
A precious ornament, that half curler hangs on a prominent Christmas tree branch in our house each season. Reminds us anew of a feisty, sparkly blue-eyed little four year old girl who truly knew what giving was all about. Though I was the teacher, she taught me volumes about the The Gift of Giving.
The Gift of Giving
Need a chuckle? Listen to Nuts About Her : another true Christmas story. One of my all time favorites.
Barbara Child says
A tear-jerker lovely story! It helps us keep things in perspective at Christmas!
Kate R. says
That is such a cool story!! <3 Merry Christmas!!
nancy mcmahan says
Beautiful way to start my day. Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Clarke says
‘at’s a good one, Allie. Merry Christmas.
Linda Jenkins says
This story brought a tear to my eyes as well. Despite being surrounded in a less than perfect setting, Carly reminds of us of God’s perfect love. What a wonderful life lesson. Instead of obsessing about what others will say or think about us, look at others’ through the eyes of Jesus, smile, and know that what we do with genuine love will be received with heartfelt thanks by all. Carly’s simple gesture touched my heart and reminded me that the best moments in life are the spontaneous ones that take your breath away. Merry Christmas to all.
Denise says
I think I have something in my eye. Beautiful story!
Tracy says
That was a beautiful story Allie! It’s so wonderful that you got to experience it. It’s even more wonderful that you shared it! Thank you! I think I will share it tonight with my family. Maybe a new Christmas Eve tradition…..
Aunt Pinkie says
What a precious story-it makes you wonder where that darling Carly is today? Thanks for sharing this -blessings on you and your dear family!
Susie says
I.LOVE.THAT.STORY.
[email protected] says
Oh dear me… someone behind me must be slicing onions. 🙂
Love you Allie! Merry Christmas. Excited to be stealing your brother, his wife &kids today for Christmas. God bless!
Amy says
What a sweet, sweet, sweet reminder on Christmas Eve. Thank you, Allie! And Merry Christmas to you and your boys! xoxoxo
Madeleine says
Tearing up here. Beautiful story and wonderful reminder this Christmas Eve. Thank you for sharing! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! xo
Aunt Margie says
We’re all crying here, and I’m on my way to church! Perfect glisten to remind us that in little is so much. Merry Christmas, dear Allie. You have padded our season with all things good and glorious! Love you!
Sarah says
So sweet, and such a lovely memory to have for the Holidays. It was uplifting and a joy to read this on Christmas morning!! 🙂 Great reminder of the true meaning of giving at Christmas. Thanks for posting Auntie!
Candace says
Thanks for the tears tonight, my friend :). I absolutely love that you have this hanging on your tree. What an incredible reminder to see year after year about true giving!
Liz says
What a beautiful story, Allie! And I love how you’ve turned this treasured gift into something you can revisit each year during the holidays. You have touched so many with your volunteer work—makes me admire you even more 🙂
nikkiana says
Aww! That’s so sweet!
Nancy. Hammett says
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Wishing you’ll. a Merry Christmas &. Gods blessing. Love you’ll
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Dang! Why do your weekend posts always leave me misty eyed if not full blown crying?
What a precious gift. In more ways than one. I love serving.
Enjoy this week as we anticipate the birth of our Savior.
May God bless and keep you and yours!
xoxo,
Karen
Sallie Eisengrein says
A wonderful Christmas story! Thank you for the encouragement! Merry Christmas!
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
What a precious story my friend. You were truly blessed that day. Hugs and blessings to you.
Mandi Korn says
What a wonderful story and I love that you turned it into an ornament. What a wonderful piece of love and kindness added to a tree which I am sure is full of lots of love and kindness already. Thanks as always for sharing
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Awwww, that story about Carly is so sweet, Allie!! I agree, it isn’t about how extravagant the gift is, but the emotion and love behind it. I LOVE that you turned the half curler into an ornament! That is genius and so cute! Thanks for sharing this story with us, and reminding us what gifts are truly about! Cheers, my dear! XOXO
Eva says
Oh Allie, c’est une histoire émouvante et adorable et si bien raconté ! On oublie parfois le bonheur de donner et de recevoir des précieux cadeaux plein d’amour comme celle ci! Je trouve que le mettre chaque année dans ton sapin de Noël est très beau, c’est le meilleur chose que tu peut faire!
Joyeux Noël mon amie !xx