The inspiration for “Gifts from the Heart” began at a Christmas concert at the small rural school where I teach. While I love many things about the holidays, our school concert is the most magical part of December for me. The children's performance is the very best gift they can give their parents and grandparents. You can practically reach out and touch the love in the auditorium; it's “beautiful just.”
A few years ago, I was sitting at the side of our community hall, waiting to take my Grade One students on stage. I was hoping to see the father of a little boy in my class—he had cancer, but very much wanted to attend. As I looked out at the audience, I spotted an attractive young mother sitting in the front row. She was so obviously enjoying herself. I asked the teacher sitting next to me who she was and learned that the lady with the radiant smile was new to our school and had been fighting cancer. As I watched her gaze up at her five-year-old son while his kindergarten class stole the show, I realized why tonight was so special. After months of chemo and radiation and surgery, she was so very glad to be here. I looked around at all the parents and grandparents in the gym, and wondered how many people were facing the possibility of not being there to watch next year's performance?
I knew that I needed to do something to help more families spend the holidays with the family and friends they love most. That very evening, I decided to write a book to raise funds for cancer research. And because the whole project was inspired by our concert, I decided to make Christmas the focus of my book. I'd seen cookbooks that raised funds for charities. What about a book that was a “recipe” for a more meaningful holiday? Over the next few months, I read hundreds of Christmas books. My research convinced me there was a need for a book that encourages readers to connect with family and friends. One that helps families develop simple traditions and special memories to warm their hearts in the years ahead. |
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As an adult whose own heart has been informed by loss, I knew that that the holidays can be an extraordinarily lonely time for many people. Some are coping with sickness. Others are trying to hold it together after a divorce. Rather than spending so much time in the malls hunting for the “perfect gift,” couldn't we embrace Christmas as an opportunity to help others? As a teacher who believes that educating children's hearts is as important as educating their minds, I wanted to include simple ways to encourage children to develop their natural empathy and generosity.
The following January, I started a noon hour club where children could come and draw and write about Christmas. They were thrilled that their work was going to be included in a “real book” that would help raise funds for cancer research. Many of them had family members who had cancer. The children had lots of good ideas about what to include. “Put those candy sleighs in that we made for the seniors' center. Put in good things to eat. And lots of crafts. It's fun to make things. Oh, and a chapter about helping animals. We love animals.” As we worked together, I realized just how much Christmas means to children. It's much more than Santa and presents—it's a way for children to show their love for their family. Those egg carton bells and macaroni wreaths and angels with doily wings are their own “Gifts from the Heart.” We need to encourage that generosity of spirit. The world needs kids who care deeply.
The Author Virginia Brucker |
For many people, Christmas has become an obligation rather than a celebration. Because we lead such busy lives and never seem to have enough time, it is important for us to use the time we do have well. I'm glad to have written a book filled with simple suggestions that help us create a better holiday—one filled with traditions and service projects and most of all, love. I'm glad to report that hundreds of readers have written to say we've succeeded. |
