I have always believed that sharing what we have with others is an important part of personal finance. This idea was reinforced in an unforgettable manner for me and my family in December of the year 2000.
My wife Alice and I had four children ranging in age from 3 to 12. I had quit my job a few months earlier to go to graduate school for a master’s degree in accounting. Alice was a stay at home mom. We could see better days ahead but knew that things would be tough financially until I could start working again. With the holidays approaching we weren’t sure how we were going to afford Christmas for the kids.
The Mysterious Package
Under these circumstances we were having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. That all changed one day in early December when a mysterious package, with no return address, showed up in our mail box. When we opened the package we discovered an unmarked cassette tape and a cashiers check for $700, enough to provide a nice Christmas for our family with some left over to help with expenses until I could start working again.
Alice and I were overwhelmed. We had no idea who would do something so incredibly generous for us. Thinking the cassette tape might provide some answers we popped it in the tape player and turned it on.
The Unmarked Cassette Tape
As the tape began to play we recognized a country song that was popular at the time by Clay Walker called “The Chain of Love”. The song tells the story of a lady who is stranded by the side of the road with a flat tire. A young man named Joe stops to help her. After the tire is changed the grateful lady asks, “How much do I owe you,” and Joe replies with the chorus to the song:
You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too Someone once helped me out, Just the way I’m helping you If you really want to pay me back, Here’s what you do Don’t let the chain of love end with youHere is a link to the video for the song. I think you will enjoy it.
The Memorable Lesson in Giving
We never discovered the identity of our secret gift-givers but we will be forever grateful to them. The money they provided in a time of need was greatly appreciated but the lesson in giving, presented in such a memorable manner, has proven even more valuable.
We had been given a valuable gift with the expectation that we would pass the gift along to someone else when we were able. Since that December day thirteen years ago when the mysterious package arrived in our mailbox we have felt a special responsibility to help others who are struggling, especially during the Christmas season. We are doing our best to not let the chain of love end with us.
I would love to hear other stories of Christmas giving. What is the most memorable Christmas gift you have either given or received?