Reghan K., Centerville High School
The Giver
“We can''t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” is a statement said by Ronald Reagan. I heard this quote at a young age and it didn''t mean much to me. As I am now 14 years of age, it has made me see life in a new perspective.
When I was just one year old, my mother was diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer in November 2010. This impacted my family quite a lot but we were always positive. We had so much support from friends and family. A group of kids decided to help my siblings and I, and get us presents for Christmas. They surprised my family with them and we were all so delighted. My siblings and I were overwhelmed with joy. We were so grateful that this group of kids thought of us during such a hard time.
Those kids inspired me to give back. Instead of being the receiver of the gifts, I wanted to be the giver. There is an organization called Operation Christmas Child. My dad brought it up to me and explained what it was. From the get go, I was excited to be able to make a kid’s day anyway I could. We went to the store to find what the kids had put on their list. The smell of candy canes and pine trees floating throughout the air in the store. The sound of kids begging their parents for toys. It was so fun to go shopping and pick out what the kids wanted. I had a smile on my face the entire time shopping.
Eventually, we sent out the gifts and I was bursting with excitement knowing that those kids would be happy. Although I didn''t get to see their faces when they got it, I got that warm feeling anyway. I wondered if this is how those kids felt helping my family and I. I wonder if they felt the feeling of pure bliss. The feeling that you made someone smile. That feeling is indescribable.
This experience changed me because I realized that helping people makes you feel better about yourself. I felt as though I was able to make a difference in those kids'' lives. I loved being a part of an organization that lets kids still be able to feel the Christmas joy, even if they can''t afford it. I learned that helping others can be fun and make you happy. This experience inspired me to keep helping people even in the smallest way because you never know what a person is going through. Even the smallest act of kindness can make a person''s day.
