We have always done things as a family. Football games, holidays- we do pretty much everything as a family. With the kids grown and living other places, we make sure that we come together as a family whenever we can. So at Christmas, everyone comes in, we eat together, exchange gifts, enjoy being together. A few Christmases ago, my middle child suggested that we give fewer things to each other and instead do something for someone else. I began calling around different places to see what was needed. We believed that wherever it was needed, God would open a door. All my children are good cooks so we thought that might be something we could do together. We also wanted to be able to do something ourselves, not just donate money or buy something to be delivered. When I called Saint Francis House and learned that you had Veterans staying there, we thought that would be a good way to help make their holiday special and to say “thank you for your service.”
When I called St. Francis House again, it turned out that there was nothing planned for the day after Christmas. That worked out for the best since sometimes, the whole family isn’t here until Christmas Day. Once we finish our family celebrations, then we start cooking. For us, it’s all about giving. We have been blessed in so many ways, including being together, we wanted to make a difference. Now it’s also about letting the grandkids and great-grandkids know that the Harris family isn’t just about ourselves; it’s about others as well. They were really excited to help, and everyone found a way to pitch in. Christmas is about family, and about giving; this is how we do that.
