I found this group yesterday, and reading the posts brought up an old, but sweet memory. Since we are approaching Christmas, I thought I'd share it.

For as long as I can remember my family was financially struggling. The year I turned 9 was rough. I think probably the worst.

Leading up to Christmas, while my parents tried to hide how stressed they were, I heard my Mom crying at night in the other room, when she thought we were sleeping and Dad was getting gray streaks in his hair. At some point, from half sentences and vibes I figured it out: We didn't have money and Christmas was going to suck. I felt really bad for my younger siblings. I figured out two years before, that the gifts are not brought by angels, but my siblings didn't know that yet, and I wanted them to still have the magic.

I was trying to convince myself that it's fine, but I just couldn't and at the same time I felt selfish and guilty for wanting to cry each time someone mentioned Christmas gifts. So I was not not looking forward for the winter break at all.

On the last day of School, my humanities and homeroom teacher told me to stay in the classroom until everyone was out, because she needed to talk to me. Obviously I thought I did something, but instead of getting a lecture, she gave me a little red Christmas card, with my name printed on it in gold letters. It had little pocket in it, with 50€. That was a lot of money. She said that she saw an angel leaving it under the class christmas tree yesterday while she was closing up, and it had my name on it. But I knew angels weren't brining gifts, at that point.

I was crying all the way home, and my Mom couldn't pull my problem out of me, because I kept going back to crying. When we got home, I gave up trying to explain the context and just gave her the card. On the morning of 25th, there were gifts unfer the tree. That unexpected 50€ gave me and my siblings the chance to stay kids.

Later, I found out that my teacher was doing this for multiple kids each year. She was strict but fair, and very-very kind. She had an eye to notice if something was wrong. I miss her a lot. I hope she's doing well, she deserves it.