It's little things that resonate at Christmastime

It is profound how often in our Christmas memories that a small sacrifice is remembered more readily, and more emotionally, than any I-couldn't-wait-to-have gift.

There is a beautiful illustration of this in Mary Ellen Edmunds' book, "Love Is a Verb."

She shares as story about a young girl she knew in sixth grade named Beatrice who had a "crooked back and heart trouble."

Mary Ellen's mother would ask her about this girl, if she was playing with the other children and if anyone was spending time with her, which they weren't.

Eventually, her mother asks her to visit Beatrice and bring one of her favorite toys. Mary Ellen, like most young children, doesn't want to go or share a toy. Reluctantly, she gives in and chooses one of her true favorites, a numbers game.

She says, "It was not with a burning sense of charity that I put my numbers game in the sack with Charlotte's toys. But at the same time, I know it didn't occur to me that I could get another numbers game if I gave this one to Beatrice. I was really giving it away; this was a true sacrifice if not exactly a charitable one."

She and her mother travel to a poorer section of town to bring the toy to Beatrice. Mary Ellen says, "It caught me off guard when we pulled up in front [of her house]. 'Mom, it's so small!' 'I know.' 'How many live here?' 'They have nine children, I think.' We went in and it seemed like there were beds everywhere. There were no more than three rooms. I saw Beatrice in one of the beds, looking quite small and rather pale."

At that moment Mary Ellen's mother reminds her to give Beatrice the toy she had brought her.

"[Beatrice] was excited. 'Oh I've always wanted one of these,' she said," and began to play with it.

Mary Ellen recalls, "Something happened inside of me at that moment — something significant. I was too tough to let it show on the outside, but in my heart something very important and good was happening. I felt happy. I felt I'd done something that mattered. I felt close to Beatrice and close to my mom."

I look at what I can share, and repeatedly it's my time and agenda.

It's putting down what I'm so busily engaged in and just listening to, being with or enjoying my family.

This week, my husband asked me and our 4-year-old to drive to Salt Lake City with him so we could spend time together while he did work errands.