The Greatest Christmas Gift

(Published in USD 420 Osage City Faculty-Staff Newsletter, December 2005)

I have already heard from several of our elementary students about gifts that they hope to get from Santa for Christmas (some lists are quite long). I have heard of a variety of items that even the big boys and girls hope they receive. High School students seem to be set on vehicles while for elementary students, it’s much simpler and less expensive items.

Do you remember what you wanted for Christmas growing up? As I was growing up as a Navy kid, we moved around about every two years or so. Dad was stationed on several ships that were deployed all over the world and many times Christmas was a very difficult time for my family because dad was gone.

Mom and the grandparents would try to give my brothers and me special gifts during Christmas to make up for that important missing member that was away during that very special time of year. But it just wasn’t the same as dad being home for Christmas.

One Christmas that I will never forget was one that we thought dad would be overseas, and away from the family, but come mid-December we got word that he would be home for the holidays.

That Christmas I didn’t care what I got because I felt like I had the best gift ever, dad was going to be home to celebrate with the family.

I often think about those special times and difficult times we experienced growing up and think about our students and the difficulties many experience around the holidays. A time of celebration for many seems to bring difficulty for several of our students as well as faculty and staff members.

This holiday period, I encourage you to reach out and be that special individual that might be able to touch the heart of a student or adult that needs to hear that they are special and appreciated.

Sometimes the greatest gift is not in materialism but in the giving of time, relationships and friendships that we are able to share with one another.

On behalf of Debbie, Brian, Craig and myself, we wish each faculty and staff member a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!