For The Love Of The Needy

For The Love Of The Needy
I looked toward Mom.

She was helping an elderly woman choose between two boxes of biscuits.

I watched for a moment.

"When I was younger, I didn't think much about it."

"Why?"

"Because it was just something we did every Christmas."

I took another sip of the hot chocolate.

"But as I got older, I understood it differently."

Grace looked at me.

"How?"

I shrugged.

"Christmas means something different when you know there are children who might not have the kind of Christmas we had growing up."

She nodded.

"That's true."

"That's why Mom and the other women who participate in bake sales take this seriously. It's their own little way of putting a smile on those kids' faces.”

Grace smiled, “I love it, it's an absolute honor for the women.”

"Yes, you can say that,” I replied. "She starts planning weeks ahead."

"I know."

We both laughed.

A voice suddenly came through the church's outdoor speaker.

"Can I have everyone's attention for just a moment?"

The conversations around the grounds gradually became quieter.

One of the church coordinators stepped forward.

She thanked everyone for coming and spoke about the purpose of the bake sale.

She reminded everyone that every purchase contributed toward the Christmas celebration at Haven Children's Home’s Christmas party.

People applauded.

I looked around.

Mom had stopped working.

Dad stood beside her.

Colton was holding a tray.

Grace stood near me.

Elias was on my other side.

For a few seconds, we were all simply listening.

Then the coordinator announced that the church hoped to make this year's Christmas celebration the biggest one yet.

The crowd applauded again.

I looked at Elias.

He smiled.

I reached for his hand.

Our fingers touched briefly before he squeezed mine.

The afternoon became even busier.

People kept arriving.

Some bought one or two things.

Others left carrying several boxes.

A woman bought nearly an entire tray of Mom's biscuits.

Mom looked stunned.

"I wasn't expecting that."

I laughed.

"You should have made more."

"I did."

"Apparently not enough."

She smiled.

By three o'clock, our table looked completely different.

Most of the baked goods were gone. Not only from our stand but from other women's stands too.

Colton held up an empty tray.

"Another one."

Mom looked at him.

"That's the last."

"Already?"

"Yes."

He looked disappointed.

"I thought we'd have leftovers."

"You wanted leftovers?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

He shrugged.

"They're good."

Everyone laughed.

Grace helped pack the remaining items while Dad and other men began folding some of the tables and tables.

Elias carried empty containers toward the truck.

I followed him.

"You've been working all day."

"So have you."

"You're enjoying yourself."

"I am."

He looked at me.

"I like being here."

"Why?"

He glanced toward my family.

"Because I feel like I'm part of it."

I smiled.

"You are."

He gave my hand a quick squeeze.

"I know."

By late afternoon, the bake sale was winding down.

The grounds looked completely different from how they had looked that morning.

Tables were being folded.

Boxes were being packed.

Chairs were stacked.

People stood around talking about the day's turnout.

The coordinator returned to the microphone and thanked everyone.

She announced that the church had raised a substantial amount and that the money would go directly toward the Christmas celebration at Haven Children's Home.

Everyone applauded.

I looked at Mom.

She was smiling.

Dad had his arm around her shoulder.

Colton stood beside them.

Grace was talking to one of her friends.

Elias stood next to me.

I looked at the people around us and felt something settle inside me.

The day had been exhausting.

My feet hurt.

My hands were tired.

I had flour on my shirt and probably somewhere on my face.

But I was happy.

Elias leaned closer.

"Good day?"

I smiled.

"Very good."

He looked toward my family.

"I understand why you love this tradition."

I looked at him.

"Now you know."

He smiled.

"I do."

Mom called us.

"Crane, Elias."

We turned.

"Come and help with these boxes."

I laughed.

"Coming."

Elias laughed too.

We walked toward my family together.

The work wasn't quite finished.

There were still boxes to load and tables to pack.

But as I looked at Elias walking beside me, I realized something.

Christmas had never been only about the decorations, food, presents, or the excitement of Christmas morning.

It was also about showing up.

For family.

For friends.

For people who needed help.

And now Elias was standing beside me, helping my family do exactly that.

Somehow, that made the whole day feel even more meaningful.