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Spirit of Christmas Thrives, Even in Hard Times

In the bleak Midwestern mid-winter, we found these Christmas angels

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

December 25, 2008
It would be easy to understand if Margaretha T. lost her Christmas spirit. Life, after all, isn't easy for this 83-year-old Kansas City woman.

She lives in a cold, cramped apartment. She scrimps by on a meager Social Security check. Her shoulder is riddled with arthritis. And she's had trouble with her right leg since a burglar attacked her a few years ago.

But these problems haven't stopped Margaretha from giving — especially during the holiday season. For the last four years, this spry German-born woman has crocheted afghans for the poor.

This Christmas is no exception, even though finances are little tighter because of the ailing economy and a foster child who drained her tiny savings.

"I've always done things like this," Margaretha says, downplaying her generosity. "I've always tried to give to others … even when I was little."

Earlier this month, Margaretha donated five handmade afghans — along with some crocheted scarves and baby blankets — to St. James Place, a food pantry in mid-town Kansas City. This is her way of giving back to an organization that has made sure she's never gone hungry.

"When I first came here (in 1990), I went to that food pantry," she says. "I do this because I use that pantry. And this is something I can do."

It's a simple gesture. But the ripple effects from this single act of kindness are felt throughout the community.

Margaretha's afghans may keep a homeless person warm on a cold winter's night. Or give comfort to a needy child. They may also help the food pantry raise much needed funds.

"One time they raffled off four of my blankets," Margaretha says. "They made $500."

She pauses and looks around her small apartment. It's dotted with signs of Christmas cheer. There's a little tree on a table. And a few lights on her balcony. Some might say Margaretha doesn't have much to celebrate this holiday season. She would respectfully disagree.

"I'm a Plain 'Ole Jane," says this mother of five. "I'm a farmer's daughter, and I can do for myself."

More importantly, she says, she can still help those who are less fortunate.

"I always pray that God doesn't take my hands away," says Margaretha, who cleans the hallways and empty apartments in her building to reduce the cost of her rent. "If He did, I couldn't crochet anymore."

More angels

Margaretha isn't the only "Christmas angel" ConsumerAffairs.com discovered this holiday season.

We found several people throughout the Midwest who haven't let the tough economic times — or emotional or physical hardships — dampen their Christmas spirit.

They're people like 63-year-old Laura P. of Gladstone, Missouri. She lost her vision 18 years ago, but still knits caps for the poor.

"In the last five years I've probably knitted nearly 100 caps," says Laura, who also has trouble walking because of bad knees and arthritis in her hip. "This year, I've already given away 26 caps. Some are multi-colored; others are blue, red, or brown."

Over the years, Laura's caps have given warmth to homeless children and poor men and woman throughout Kansas City. Knitting the caps has also given Laura something just as valuable — the opportunity to help others.

"Another person who lost their sight might have gotten down about it. But when I lost my sight (in 1990), I learned to accept it.

"I think I need to do this," adds Laura, who knits while listening to baseball games, the news, or books on tape. "And my heart is just there for it."

Cookie consoler

Across the state, a grieving mother spends the holidays comforting parents who've lost a child. And she does it one cookie at a time.

Debbie B. of St. Louis, Missouri, runs Ky's Cookie Connection — a "ministry" she started in memory of her daughter, Kylene.

The 15-year-old honor student — who once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian — died four years ago after she was kicked by a horse.

"Our purpose in doing this is because as a parent (who has lost a child), the greatest fear is that your child will be forgotten," Debbie says. "We want to let these families know that not only will their child not be forgotten — they won't be either."

That's why Debbie spends the holidays making plates of cookies and delivering them to those who've lost a child.

She also delivers cookies to those who've lost a spouse or other loved one.

"This ministry we started is so fitting for Ky," Debbie says, adding her daughter planned to do missionary work and help the needy. "She had a compassionate heart. She was a very devoted friend and made everyone feel like they were her best friend. She truly loved everyone.

"And she was my cookie maker."

This year, Debbie and her teams of volunteers baked 8,000 cookies and gave them to 270 grieving families in the St. Louis area.

Each cookie — each warm thought — hopefully brought some comfort to these grieving families, Debbie says.

"There's no way to describe the loss of a child. It's devastating. It's a pain that won't go away. And the holidays intensify that pain."

Debbie, who has two other children, lives with that sorrow everyday. But making cookies for other grieving families eases some of that heartache, some of that loneliness.

"Doing this helps with the healing process," she says. "It's a tremendous lift knowing that you're doing something that will touch peoples' lives. And some of the responses we get from people warm my heart.

"It lets me know that Ky is still here."

And so is her spirit — and the spirits of many others — who haven't forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Even in the toughest of times.

They're people like Margaretha in Kansas City who've discovered the simple joy that comes from helping others in need.

"It just makes me happy…it makes me happy to give."

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