In the midst of the hustle and bustle that surrounds each holiday season, I usually find myself forgetting what it means to celebrate life and the spirit of giving. For the first time ever, I am in a position, with a wonderful job, to purchase my loved ones meaningful and quality Christmas gifts. Now, I know that cost shouldn’t matter — but it means so much to me that I’ve worked hard enough to be in a position that I can really surprise my friends and family with special gifts. Not only am I surprising my family, however, I’m surprising strangers too.
Rewind to four years ago. Sixteen year old Sarah had just gotten her license to drive and was speeding in the heart of Lexington on her own, for the first time. Already late to choir rehearsal, I parked in a lot with reserved parking to avoid being late. Convinced I would receive a ticket, I walked back to my car after the rehearsal dismissed and saw a piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper. Of course, a ticket. When I got closer, however, I saw a feather and a white envelope — not quite the dreaded slip of paper from UKPD. Inside the envelope was a business card that read “Random Act of Kindness” and a $5 Starbucks giftcard. Never in my life had I been more surprised or confused at how I had become the recipient of such a thoughtful gesture.
Return to the present. The concept of paying it forward really never became relevant to me until I had this special encounter. Since then, I’ve always wanted to return the favor or to leave a gracious tip somewhere for a wonderful server. But, as a broke college student, it’s never really in the budget to give out of my means. This year, I had some extra money around the holidays and decided to give it a go. Twice, at Starbucks drive-thrus, I paid for the car behind me, regardless of their order. Each time it was never more than $6 or $7, but to know I may have brightened someone’s day a bit by sparing a little of my extra money when they never expected it gave me the absolutely most wonderful feeling I’ve ever had.
Similarly, I found myself at loss for words this season when friends and family asked me what gifts I wanted. To be in a position that I truly don’t need anything to be happy and get by is a blessing in itself, but I’m fortunate enough to go without many wants as well. For the first time in my life, I found myself far more excited to see others open the gifts I had purchased for them rather than to open what they had gotten for me. Maybe that’s growing up. It’s been quite a roller coaster of a year and seeing my stepdad’s face when he opened the iPad my siblings and I pulled our money to purchase was priceless. Even though the holidays really aren’t about the things we get, it has been so amazing to share the gift of giving back to the people who I couldn’t imagine my life without.
