The Christmas Gift Box… a young girl’s heart reaching out
RAVEN is one of Pangga’s nieces. She calls her “Tita Pangga,” but sadly had no memories of her. She was still a baby when she migrated to Canada, that’s why.
I, her mom, is Pangga’s first cousin, so she would always ask me to tell stories about her special aunt.
Now a fifth grader, Raven lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with us, her family
She especially loves to draw, play the piano, enjoys rollerblading, ice skating and biking.
She also loves to watch movies, Disney and videos on YouTube.
Witty and Smart
A very responsible and smart girl, Raven amazes people she meets.
Her Catechism teacher said that she learned a lot talking to her in barely an hour than talking to anyone else her age.
During her mom’s high school reunion, one classmate couldn’t help her laugh and disbelief when he told her that she looks exactly like her mom.
“You’re the 56th person who said that to me!”, she confidently said and bursting out laughing at the same time!
In one of our extended family’s gathering, when she was younger, maybe 7or 8, seeing that her uncle has lots of old cameras around his living room, she asked him., ” How many cameras do you have, Uncle Selwyn? ” “
Selwyn- ” Lots! “
Raven- ” 50?”
Selwyn-” No, more.”
Raven’ ” 100? “
Selwyn- “No, more.”
Raven-“200? “
Selwyn- ” No, I have maybe 300 , do you believe me? “
Raven- ” Oh….that’s a waste of money. ”
How can a young girl think something like that? Only Raven.
Her uncle is collecting and buying those old cameras at thrift stores and sells them again after cleaning them and making sure that they work fine. He would submit them for repairs if needed. Of course, some are his collections and keeps them.
Here’s some more:
While rummaging through her stuff to clean up at the end of school last year, I found a tiny paper neatly tucked in her 4th grade notebook. She has her bucket list on it:
• give $1,000 to charity
• buy a house with a pretty art room
• travel the world
• help countless lives
My heart bursts with joy seeing that Raven has a heart for the needy even at such a young age.
The Christmas Gift Box
Raven’s friend Emma would invite her every now and then to their church especially when there are special events during Christmas.
When Emma gave her a shoe box for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, she got so excited!
She told me right away about it and eagerly counted the coins she had been saving for a while.
She’s been told that a girl her age from Africa will receive the gift.
She wanted to buy nice items because she knew that the girl may not be as privileged as her.
Raven wanted to share something special to her so she also included her favorite Lalaloopsy doll in the box. She even drew it in the card sent to the girl.
It included a touching message saying, “I wish you enjoy the gifts I’ve given you. I don’t know you but I wish you a great life. Sincerely, Raven.”
Watta Girl!
While in Walmart shopping for the school supplies, she wanted to buy items which she thinks has good quality – Staedler, Crayola, etc. She also has Hello Kitty toothbrushes for her.
She’s wondering though if one day she will ever meet or have the chance of knowing her.
For now, she just cherishes the thought that her little shoe box made a girl smile from somewhere far just before Christmas of 2018.
This inspiring story is a bit late for Christmas, but I did not have a chance telling this is in time for the Savior’s birthday.
Anyway, we believe that everyday is Christmas as long as we have love in our hearts.
Watch out for Raven’s simple artworks in the next blogs.
See that drawing of her Lalaloopsy doll above? More to come.
