It's the Little Things!

Even as a foster child, I taught my son (whom I adopted at age 6) that giving is better than getting.  At an early age he would help me bake cookies and package them up for elderly friends and our local fire station.  I've taught him to be on the lookout all year long for those special little inexpensive gifts we could get and folks that we feel are in need.  I was able to teach him many lessons:

• How lucky he is to be loved - there are those who have no one
• How many folks give of themselves - the firemen have to work to keep others safe...even on Christmas
• How doing for others benefits not only them but you - we always walk away smiling seeing them smile!
• How even the littlest of things can bring joy to others - a Dollar Store knick knack, a candy bar, etc. (It's the act of giving that makes it so special not the value!)
• Always be on the lookout for someone you can be kind to - You never know how much they need the kind act!

And, even at age 14, when a lot of teens wouldn't think it was "cool" to think of others or hang with their mom, mine still does - especially at Christmas time!  After all, it's become a family tradition.

(Not bad for a kid with a disability that often involves lack of social skills and empathy towards others!)