TODAY is the Eve of Christmas. As we busy ourselves with preparations for Noche Buena, let us not forget that Christ is in the center of this celebration. In the wake of this tragic flooding reminiscent of Sendong here in our town brought on by Tropical Storm Vinta, it is now more essential than ever to remember the people affected in our grieving community.
Saying a solemn prayer and donating food to a family will surely not put a dent in our pockets. Tonight, all of us will surely be thrilled at the sight of gaily wrapped beribboned gifts; but the greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper but in love. Real happiness doesn’t result from what we get but from what we give. Indeed, as the song goes, it is more important to “give love on Christmas day”.
Over the years, I have been a witness to how my friend, Mai Paredes Tan, exhibits that the best gifts are indeed those that don’t come from the pocket but straight from the heart. Mai started her simple advocacy of Christmas Gift giving to a SPED classroom in a public school that she “adopted” 9 years ago.
She narrated: “A teacher approached me asking if I'd like to share some of my blessings to the Sped Kids that she mentors. I saw it as an opportunity to step-up because Christmas is about that. I’m not even rich, I just come from a humble middle class background, but somehow, I was able to make it happen that year. And since then, the gift giving happens every year…even until this year.”
The kids look forward to Mai’s yearly visits, so she said she really finds a way to be able to give and prepare for the children. She explained: “I feel like I have an obligation to care for other kids too, to share a bit of happiness with the little things I give them. I was actually inspired to do it because of my angel in heaven named Katrina. When she was taken from me at only a few months old, I promised myself that I will make other kids happy.”
Mai was candid enough to admit that, “In a way, I actually feel guilty because she was under my care and I was not able to fulfill my responsibility to give her the life she deserves. Although the doctors assured me it was not my fault, my heart still bleeds until now when I think about what I have lost. This is the way I can make it up to her. Of course, I try my very best to keep a sharing heart all-year-round, but I really go all-out for Christmas.”
This hands-on mom of three girls (4 including Katrina) said that now she realizes that God has a reason and purpose for that particular sad period in her life. She noted, “He made me realize that there are still so many kids who need love. For my case alone, they want and need me to be there for them even it’s only at Christmas time. I also realize I may have limited funds, but I am able to provide ways because God has provided me wisdom and inspiration on how to do it. He never fails!”
She added, “Once, I asked my brother Papot (a PBA player) for basketball balls for the team at West Central School. He was able to give me a lot. Even the SPED class was happy. The kids, in spite of their disability, were also happy to be active in sports.”
Mai elaborated that this year, as the President of Rotary PIE-MO, she managed to bring out the idea of having a “Zumba for A cause Event” at Tagoloan, Misiamis Oriental. Through this successful event at the Tagoloan dome, supported by her CDO Zumba Family, she was able to cater to more children. This year, she was able to give to the following: the Villanueva Sped School, Indahag Sped School, and West City Central Sped children.
Seeing the kids’ happy faces with the humble gifts makes Mai even more motivated to keep on doing this yearly advocacy. “I feel a huge sense of fulfillment that no amount of money can ever buy when I see the kids’ smiling faces. The amazing part is I have seen some of the children grow through the years. I may only see them in December, but they never forget. It is really the time of the year that I think about what I can give, not what I can receive. After, all it’s Christmas and it’s all about our Baby Jesus. It’s really all about the kids,” she concluded with a smile.
The twinkly lights, the lanterns, and all the other festive décor of this holiday season are just icing on an already scrumptious cake. Because having each other (our families and the friends who made us their family) is already so much of a gift in itself! And of course, life in itself is the greatest gift with everything else as really just a bonus.
Christmas is always a great opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime and to celebrate the love of God in the company of family and friends. Above all else, Christmas is the perfect time to give; and it is not about the size of the gift but the size of the heart of the person who gives it. My fervent wish of course if for this generous heart and the joy of this holiday season to last the whole year through. Everyday really ought to be lived likes it’s CHRIST-mas!
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