The 10 year old me would have loved for this to be my Christmas haul. To have received so many gifts – even if they did come from an organization that supplied gifts to needy children during the holidays. At the age of 10, I didn’t receive any presents for Christmas. That was the first year (and the beginning of many more) where I no longer received gifts.
Now, about these gifts. I’d just arrived home and took the picture before getting the bag out of the trunk of my car. I couldn’t wait to get home to see exactly what I got. Why don’t I know what all is in the bag? Because this was more than just putting toys in a bag for someone else. I, along with a few others, was given the opportunity to “shop” what was left over after we’d completed filling the requests for assistance from children in need. So, this was a restoration of past hurt caused in a 10 year old at Christmas.
At first, I was hesitant to choose anything. As I watched the other people gather toys for their children and grandchildren, I was going through a list in my head of family and friends with children that I thought would like to receive gifts. Then one of the ladies asked me if I was going to get something. I know she meant for a child, however, at that moment, I thought to myself, “I should find something that I would like”… hmmm.
I found a journal and a notebook, so I put them in my bag. As I walked the tables, I came to the dolls. That’s where I saw a Barbie and Disney dolls. I started to like shopping – for me. Next came the game section. I got two board games. Last but not least, I had to get a stuffed animal. So I got a soft teddy bear. He’s in bed with me right now as I write this post.
To say that this one bag of toys completely wiped away the hurt I felt as a 10 year old who didn’t get anything for Christmas would be an inadequate assumption. However, to say that this bag of toys helped heal some of the hurt caused to that young girl now that she’s able to emotionally handle the feelings involved in letting go of past hurts, would be more accurate.
My Journey, My Story 