They hadn't always lived in their van. After suddenly losing everything months ago, it became their only home. Today, I saw them parked far from the Walmart, so the kids wouldn't hear the cruel taunts. It was never their fault; they had only a few cherished belongings in their battered backpacks—each item a distant memory.
They were once part of his congregation at St. Mary's church and were given temporary shelter when the air was freezing, and their van had no working heater. His heart ached for them, along with the masses of others finding themselves in the same situation. The youngest little girl was first to see me and ran to me with open arms. I embraced the child, which seemed to comfort her.
I looked in the van, seeing the teenage boy slumped down in his seat, begging his dad to leave as he saw a group of his school friends approaching with malicious intent to cause the family even more heartache. I recognized some of the kids from church, and as they approached, they recognized me as well and turned away. Thanks, Father the boy said as he quickly dried his tears.
I asked the grownups if they needed anything, and all they came up with was that some kind of kindness would find them, and their children could have one present to open on Christmas morning. I told them I'd see what I could do and left them lost in life, but never without faith, that something good would happen.
An elderly couple with a full cart approached the van and stopped. We thought you could use this the lady said. There's plenty of food, some blankets, and a box of Christmas cookies, bringing smiles to the family's faces and gratitude from the parents.
It wasn't long before a young man, maybe 20, stopped by the van and handed the dad an envelope. There are four gift cards in there, he said. I was going to give one to the Uber driver and another to my favorite pizza delivery girl. And the other two, he said, I was going to keep for an emergency, but see, they would do you the most good.
The kids were smiling for the first time in a long time, taking great pleasure in the kindness shown to them by perfect strangers. More shoppers stopped at the van, and one offered his help by providing a room for two nights at the motel he owned just outside town. It all seemed too good to be true, but I knew it was the hand of God reaching down to touch this family that had never asked for anything but an everyday life.
You'll be at the Christmas fest, won't you? I asked, and the kids quickly answered that they would come. But we will have to get ready Mom said. The motel owner handed her a key, telling her they were welcome to check in, have a hot shower, and change their clothes, somewhere buried in the boxes containing their life story.
They attended the festival mingling with the others, most of whom they didn't know, and the few good souls that had helped them bring a van full of dume to kids with smiling faces. Santa made an appearance, handing out presents to the boys and girls who all looked the same to him, with their hearts beating fast as they thanked him and made room for the little girl in the van.
Hello, Mary, Santa said. Don't you look just beautiful tonight? This year hasn't been what you were expecting, has it? Mary nodded, wiping away a tear. But good things happen to good people, and from what I've seen, you and your family have made many new friends here tonight. Santa reached into his big red sack and looked around in it for a minute, coming up with the most beautiful baby doll he could find. For me, Mary asked. Yes, child, for you. But Santa, how do you know my name?
Well, he began last year, you wished for this very same doll, and the elves worked very hard to make you the most beautiful doll any girl would love and take care of. But when I came to your house on Christmas Eve, the house was dark and empty. I saw it many times last year, so I put the doll back in my sack and hoped I'd somehow find you and give it back to you. And here you are!
The family who lived in a van counted their blessings every day, knowing that people are genuinely good and want to help each other. They found their way not long after and moved into a small house as soon as Dad took a job at Walmart loading trucks. Mom joined volunteer groups, helping anyone who requested it and some who initially rejected, until Mom told them our story. The kids flourished at their new school, making many friends and making it their mission to educate people about homelessness.
A cold winter night, a van, and four people who never lost their faith in man, and of course, Santa Claus.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Homelessness is an epidemic faced by thousands of people across the land. We tend to ignore them, shielding children from them as if they were outlaws. The reality is we don't know their stories and shouldn't pretend we do. It only takes one act of kindness to change someone's life. Be that person who cares enough to reach out.
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