There are some gifts we receive in our lives that are more meaningful than others. Typically, it’s the less expensive and more thoughtful ones that stand out from the rest.
Washington State elementary school teacher Rachel Uretsky-Pratt was presented with a truly special Christmas gift from one of her students this year.
Working with low-income kids
The teacher works mainly with students whose families don’t have a large income, so when Christmas time came around, the last thing she was thinking about was gifts.
Handmade gifts
But the students proved how kind-hearted children are, and presented Rachel with little hand-made gifts that truly came from the heart. One gift in particular touched Rachel, and she shared her story onto Facebook through Mary Katherine Backstrom.
“Today was the last day before our winter break. We will have two weeks off to rest with our families and loved ones over the holidays then head back to school next year,” Rachel explained.
“With it being the day before break and Christmas right around the corner, most teachers bring their kiddos something such as books or little treats and occasionally in return receive something from their students.”
Although Rachel doesn’t wish to disclose the personal details of her students, she explained on her Facebook post that every child at the school was provided help with their meals- whether at a free service or a reduced service.
Simple and thoughtful
And that morning, when the children were eating their breakfasts, one child had decided that she was going to save the absolute best part of her breakfast to give as a gift to her teacher.
“100% of my school is on free/reduced lunch,” Rachel said. “They also get free breakfast at school every day of the school week. This kiddo wanted to get me something so badly, but had nothing to give.”
It started with marshmallows
“Rather than give me nothing, this student opened up her free breakfast cereal this morning, took the packaging of her spork, straw, and napkin, and finally took the time to take every marshmallow out of her cereal to put in a bag—for me,” Rachel said.
Incredibly touched
But this little girl proves to us all that generosity is always free, even when you don’t have much in life.
Rachel was so touched by her gift that she took a picture of it. The colorful marshmallows have been wrapped carefully in a clear plastic wrapper, and it melts our heart to see the little girls efforts.
“Be grateful for what you have, and what others give you. It all truly comes from the deepest parts of their hearts,” Rachel concluded.
We couldn’t agree more! Even when this little girl had nothing, she went out of her way to make sure that she was able to give her teacher a gift. We could all learn to be a little more thoughtful through this little girls example.
It’s not about how much you spend on a gift but the care and love that goes into it.
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