The best gift youve ever received

The best gift I got was last Christmas when we held a party for the street children in Manila. Here is an excerpt from my journal.

“Last saturday, we held a Christmas Party for the street children of sucat,paranaque in McDonald’s. It was for the “Snackenistas” group of Hands on Manila. I was so overwhelmed with different feelings that day. I was so happy that my friends were there. The kids were saying “ang gaganda naman ng mga ate”(Our big sisters are so beautiful). What they didn’t know was that these people became more beautiful because of them. They were beautiful because what the kids were seeing were the hearts of my friends. The goodness and pureness that were oh so evident in their faces.

I loved the party and the part where we ate together with them. I liked taking care of them and serving them food. I loved giving them their loot bags and seeing their faces light up because they couldn’t carry it anymore..they had four loot bags each and they were just so proud of what they got. I was teary eyed when it was time to say goodbye.. it has always been like that..

What i learned that day could not be read in books because it was felt deeply in our hearts. These kids did not know that they were the ones who taught us that it’s good to have fun, to be rowdy because it’s a party, to dance like no one’s watching and to hug each other and give other people a warm smile.They taught me the value of food and family.They were actually willing not to eat so that they would have something to bring home to their family. I told them that the party was especially for them and that if they didn’t eat i wouldn’t give them the loot bags that was for their family too. And so they ate, they were so hungry that two of the kids I was seated with ate 3 pieces of chicken and had 3 helpings of rice. Imagine how hungry they really were..and yet they wanted to keep it for their family,how unselfish these kids were when it came to family. We could really learn a lot from them.

If only they knew how meaningful CHRISTMAS will be because of them.. thanks kids! thank you for making me realize a lot of things that day. thank you for the hugs and your smiles.till the next time that i see you..merry christmas! “