Maya Angelou – SeasonedSistah

Toy I Wanted

More than sixty years ago, for months leading up to Christmas; I, along with three of my best girlfriends, imagined, dreamed and talked about getting a kid-sized doll on Christmas Day.

Out of MAMA’s Reach

I still recall the tears shed those many years ago when MAMA said I wouldn’t get anything for Christmas. Instead Kris Kringle was bringing my presents on New Year’s Day. She explained the money set aside for Christmas gifts would buy things for the new baby on the way. Mind you, it wasn’t her new baby.

Earlier in the year MAMA extended a helping hand to a niece who had recently separated from her husband. Pregnant with two toddlers, she moved into our four-room apartment. Our family of two increased to five. And, on December 11, the new baby boy arrived. Now, we were a family of six. The sole source of income for the entire household was MAMA’s salary. MAMA and I, a family of two, had struggled for years to survive on the meager wages she earned. But, she found ways to stretch the money to provide room and board for family members in need of help.

On Christmas Day my three girlfriends got kid-sized dolls. I was a little jealous and my friends tried to cheer ME up saying, “Kris Kringle will bring your doll next week.”

The Greatest Gift

On January 1, New Year’s Day, Kris Kringle arrived with a small-sized baby doll and other toys. While I didn’t get the kid-sized doll, I was gifted with two toddlers to play with and a new baby boy to hug and cuddle.

MY friends after a while tired of the kid-sized dolls. They visited almost everyday to play with ME and MY three little cousins,

I am grateful to MAMA for teaching ME at an early age to value the “Gift of Giving.” The quality of MY life is enhanced when I can make a difference in the lives of others.

Five of MY Favorite Gift of Giving Quotes

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” (Anne Frank)
“Happiness. …consists in giving, and in serving others.” (Henry Drummond)
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” (Maya Angelou)
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” (Charles Dickens)
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill)