Christmas Memories…by Heather Huffman

When Heather Huffman agreed to participate in our Christmas celebrations, I squeed with excitement. Not only is she a great author, but she’s also one of the loveliest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to talk to. Her books are amazing and worth reading. If you haven’t checked them out, please do. Each one of them captures you completely and leaves a mark on you.

Today Heather Huffman shares a touching Christmas memory that I’m sure will stay with you…

If I were to tell you about my favorite memories as a child, they would vague recollections of the way the aroma of Scotch pine permeated our home in December or of my sisters trying to “accidentally” wake me up because I always slept too late on Christmas day for their liking. I still remember finding my stuffed dog Lucky under the tree. Walking in to find my new bike, The Wild Rose, all shiny and new is still vividly etched in my mind.

Caroling in a horse-drawn sled, making reindeer food with my boys when they were little, visiting the nursing home with my boys to deliver gifts, and the annual debate over what to give out of the World Vision Gift Catalog are all moments I cherish.

But above all, there is one memory I hold dearer than the rest. It hardly seems like only a year ago. Last Christmas was especially important to us because we’d nearly lost our son to a horseback riding accident in the spring. More than ever, we were thankful beyond measure to be celebrating together.

Over the course of the year, my husband had befriended several homeless people while handing out sandwiches downtown. There was one small group in particular whom I will never forget. After visiting our extended families, we swung by their camp to deliver a few meager gifts (and books, my novels were a real hit among them).

There was one gentleman who was very special to us. He was kind and intelligent. I always wondered what had gone so wrong in his life for him to be living in a homeless camp. When my boys hugged him and said “Merry Christmas” I could tell by the look on his face he’d just been given a priceless treasure. He was so profoundly moved that it made me wonder when was the last time he’d received so simple a comment.

We sat around their fire as the sun sank in the sky. My boys played Go Fish with the gentleman; their laughter permeated the little camp. Before I left, the man gave me a pair of gloves. They were my favorite gift because I knew how hard they were for him to come by.

We left before dark and spent the night warm and safely tucked in our beds. I’ve since lost touch with this little band of friends. We heard through the grapevine one of the men passed away this year, a victim of living on the downtown streets. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of my friends and wonder how they’re doing. My time with them was short, but I’m honored to have known them. I thank them for reminding me what matters in life.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. The decorations, the music, the smells all bring me joy. Most of all, it’s a time of year that reminds me to put the brakes on all the busyness and simply be grateful for how very blessed I am.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday!

Thank you, Heather, for sharing this moving memory with us and for reminding us the great value of giving. Like St. Francis said, it is in giving that we receive.

Heather Huffman has a new book coming out in 2013. It’s called Roses in Ecuador and I’ll review it here on Bookish. You can find more about Heather and her books by visiting her website . She’s also co-authoring a book with Sylvain Reynard, USA Today and NYT Bestselling Author of Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture, and I can’t wait to hear more about this project ;)

COMING UP : A great giveaway offered by Heather Huffman. Don’t miss it!

Εlena