Creating A Holly Jolly Christmas

This year has been a hard one. I say that personally, but also acknowledging that this year has been kinder to me than to so very many.

Yes, I lost my father, and that grief is still moving through me, spiraling, punching my heart when I least expect it. I know it will find its place and eventually settle, tamping down the sadness and bringing the happy memories of him to the fore. He was 81. He had a good life, a long life. But so many who were lost this year died too young, with too many hopes and dreams unfulfilled, leaving loved ones set adrift.

The holidays are an especially hard time to be missing someone. Shared traditions, meaningful religious ceremony, inside jokes, and the anticipation of gifts given, gifts received - all gone for so many people.

As our Yes, VirJIMia (thinking of you, Dad) sleigh continues to take on new riders, there are spouses who face this first season without their husband or wife, and children who will wake on Christmas morning missing their mother or father so very deeply. COVID has done what it does - in its stealth it has shaken families to the core. Some, like mine, have been lucky. My husband and son, both fully vaccinated, had breakthrough infections last month, and while they still fight the lingering effects of coughs and fatigue, they are alive.

Far too many have not been so lucky. Your donations are helping create some magic in lives where deep sadness, confusion, and uncertainty have taken hold. I sit here and think about those children. Yes, I lost my father, but I had him for 55 years. That's a good run. Elfing for children who only had their parent for 3, 5, 8 years? I am more aware than ever how blessed I am.

As we continue to endeavor to create some holly, jolly Christmases, I wanted to address some questions I get each year regarding how the funds you donate are used.

First and foremost, I vet. I am ever mindful that these 13 years have only been possible because of your generosity and trust, and to that end, I ask a lot of questions. Not just about what toys a child may desire, but about circumstances. I am gentle, but I am also direct. In the cases of COVID deaths that are shared with me, I have been granted entrance into the worst nightmares of people - even seeing death certificates.

I never send cash. Through the years we have paid to heat homes, keep lights on, etc. When that happens, those payments are done directly with the utility companies involved.

No, I do not ask about someone's politics. While my own views and feelings are no secret, they also have no business clouding the elfing. Children are blameless. And hunger knows no party affiliation.

Yes, I ask about the Child Tax Credit and insure people are up to speed. Make no mistake, those payments each month are lifting people from the depths of poverty, but they are not suddenly making their lives carefree. Rent must still be paid, prescriptions filled, clothing purchased, bills paid. What we do affords children the possibility of unwrapping a gift or two, provides temporary breathing room with food via a gift card.

The needs vary. But the most prevalent has been for many years, and continues to be, food insecurity. That a box of cereal is a Christmas gift unto itself will never not be heartbreaking to me. And children grow like weeds. Shoes and boots are always requested. Hand me downs of either are sometimes just not possible in a family because of the extreme wear and tear a pair endure. That parents live in fear of their children growing is another gut punch - it is simply not something I have ever had to contemplate.

We currently sit two and a half weeks from another Christmas morning. Still time to make memories, provide magic. We have lost much as a nation over the past two years. 810,432 families have lost someone important to them - a mother, a father, a sibling, a child, a grandparent, a friend. Last night I stumbled upon a new holiday song by Ed Sheeran and Elton John - Merry Christmas. I love that it is uplifting while still openly acknowledging those that have gone. Give it a listen. I hope it lifts your heart, and if you are able, please donate to our efforts.