For the last month I have been extremely stressing over Christmas and my son's birthday - the fact that I have not really been able to get him anything. This is the first year that this has happened and I know it is because of the time I was on unemployment and then had my surgery.

Even though Christmas is not supposed to be about gifts, children will compare at school and say hurtful things. Plus my inability to make the holiday and his first party successful is a part of my feeling of being inadequate and a loser.

People at work have seen how much this has bothered me. I invited Alex and my husband up to work today to make sure they ate and to see if I could give Alex some tokens to win points that could be redeemed. The tech manager kept giving him lots of tickets - hundreds to be exact.

The girls behind the counter gave him tokens. They ate for free because I am one of the managers there. During the afternoon, one of the employees (whom I have helped lately with hours and being available to talk to anytime) and the tech manager had their heads together. I walked in and silence.

All of a sudden, the girl had her coat on and she was leaving........the tech just looked at me and said, "she'll be back". When she returned, she had three bags and a basket in her hands.

I followed her to the back and inside the bags were gifts for my son......and the basket was filled with fruit. She looked at me and told me that she knew how much it had upset me lately and that she also realized how cruel kids can be, esp. if Alex only received one or two things. She also mentioned how much she cared about me and the things I've done for her lately.

I started crying.........then she started. I was so happy that Alex would have some gifts. Then my manager stopped by and told me that "Santa had given him a gift for Alex". He had gone out and bought a present for Alex also. He gave me a hug and wished me Merry Christmas.

I have never had such generosity shown before. I was so happy and so relieved that Alex's special days would be special.

Then the nasty one inside whispered,"sure, let your employees and boss help you out because you are such a LOSER"................that made me cry more.

I'm focusing on how happy my son will be in the morning and his party is free - for the kids as well as the adults........another gift. The feelings I have about myself I will lock away till after Friday - after I see the happiness on his face and the fun he has with his friends.

We went to Mass tonight and I was so proud of him.......he sang right along with me and was so good.

Merry Christmas everyone - miracles do happen sometimes.

Mary Alice