Hola!!!
We hope you are all safe at home while you prepare for the next couple of weeks with your family. This holiday promises to be a very different one than we are used to in the past. New restrictions, new considerations, but…a chance to make new improvisations with your loved ones!
The Christmas holidays, for us, are always a good time for reflection.
We remember how we spent the holidays with our families growing up. Those memories come back, and always make us grateful for the experiences, as well as everything we have right now.
We were recently thinking about our family’s traditions when we were young, so we will share with you a short story of what our holidays used to look like.
Alexandra:
I grew up with parents who always worked on giving us everything we needed.
Now, a need is not the same thing as a want – so we didn’t get what we wanted all the time.
There were years during the holidays where we didn’t have enough money to get gifts, but my parents gave us even a little something, like from the dollar store. For me, a little doll with a dress was everything! We didn’t need luxurious gifts or major things.
The real fun part about the holidays for us was the Christmas dinner! And, every year, my dad and mom would buy tons of candy. We would make candy bags for kids in poor towns and we took the toys we didn’t play with anymore to go and give them away.
We had a pickup truck so we would go in the back of the pickup truck and hand it to the kids. More than the gifts my parents were able to give us for Christmas, those are the moments that will always be in my mind.
My family in Ecuador still does that, they still give away food baskets to the less fortunate.
Image: My aunt in Ecuador prepping the bags of candy for the kids.
Henry:
In my case I grew up with a single mom. Being the middle child, it was very rare for me to experience a Christmas full of gifts. In fact, I barely got gifts, but my mom did what she could. Mostly, we would go window shopping.
It was fun to see stuff but at the same time sad that I knew I couldn’t get something I wanted. At times I was just happy if my little brother got a gift. Despite not having gifts and growing up with a single mom, the best part of the holidays was to have my grandma cook a delicious meal and being together as a family.
For both of us, it’s always been important to be able to give back and be part of a bigger cause. That’s why we are excited and grateful to be part and/or work with generous organizations.
We would like to share with you four of the ones we support, and if you are looking for a way to help and make a lasting impact this year or in the future, please check out their links!
Their mission is to spread the spirit of joy while celebrating the countless stories of redemption, second chances and unconditional servitude that bring people together.
2.WeCare
We Care is a small team of volunteers driven by the desire to educate and protect young people from abuse.
Justice Center advocates for vulnerable groups who suffer violence. They provide direct services such as: Shelter, medical/psychological care, social assistance, restoration, and aftercare programs.
4. NYC Relief
They mobilize volunteers to help folks struggling with homelessness. Not only the thousands of plates of food served, but also help with resources that lead to life transformation.
Now, we know our holiday stories as children might be a little different than what we experience now, but we’ll never forget where we came from. People all around the world are feeling more secluded than ever before.
We need to remember that we can be a light in their darkness, a hope in these desperate times. Even if you just click the above links and contribute a small donation or volunteer your time and service. Every little thing makes a huge difference.
We know there are so many people out there have a story, too. look forward to hearing some of yours, and wish you a merry Christmas, spending it in simple, but meaningful ways.
Con Amor,
Henry & Alexandra
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