Kumar’s Edit/Flickr Creative Commons
One of my wonderful co-workers, Andrea J., has done a really wonderful thing and shared one of her Christmas family traditions with all of us at PPL Motorhomes this holiday. It’s a story that comes with a simple, but powerful message and really captures the spirit of giving and selflessness. Here’s how the story goes.
Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys. In the winter time it seemed any extra money went for coal to heat the old buildings. At Christmas, the buildings always seemed a little warmer, and the food a little more plentiful, but more than this—Christmas meant an orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided, and it was coveted by each boy like no other thing they ever possessed.
Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment he would eat it. Some would even save it until New Year’s Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations until New Year’s just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.
This particular Christmas Day, Jake had broken the orphanage rules by starting a fight. The orphanage mother took Jake’s orange away as a punishment for breaking the rules. Jake spent Christmas day empty and alone. Nighttime came and Jake could not sleep; silently, he sobbed because this year he would not have his orange to savor with the other boys.
A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder and startled him and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared into the dark to leave Jake alone to discover a strange looking orange—an orange made from segments of nine other oranges—nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired, and cherished until a later date.
This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love taught to us by our Savior that we share for each other.
Of course this story was handed out to every PPL employee by Andrea and, of course, it was accompanied by a ripe and delicious orange. Her simple act of generosity, thoughtfulness and sharing of a family tradition inspired me to write and share it with all of my readers. It’s a simple story with a wonderful message that I will never forget. So, as the holidays come and go, it certainly isn’t the only time we should be generous and count our blessings. Every day I wake up, I will look in the mirror and remind myself to always be grateful for my family, friends, co-workers and my fellow humans…then I have an orange for breakfast and give one to someone in need.