Today I’m joining my friend Rheanna and her 5 yr old daughter Paloma as they run around San Francisco giving holiday cheer in partnership with Uber…
Growing up, my family would always incorporate acts of service in our holiday plans. Often, my parents would pick a family from our school or church congregation that needed some financial help, and buy gifts for their family. We would wrap them up with notes and sweets, and leave them on the porch. It was such a wonderful part of the holiday, and I have such fond memories of our family working together for a good cause.
It’s been an important holiday tradition to continue in my own family and I’m always looking for new and personal ways to accomplish service. I have so many friends that do such inspiring acts of service with their children this time of year, that I thought it would be fun to document such an outing with Uber. Rheanna and Paloma came to mind. You might remember Rheanna and her sweet daughter Paloma from our piece about country vs city living as a single mom.
Today we’re joining Rheanna and Paloma as they make holiday cards, pick out some toys to donate through SF Firefighters Toy Drive, and then deliver them at the fire station. Paloma has such a huge heart. Rheanna told me this sweet story about when her mom offered her money to pick out a few Christmas gifts for family, Paloma said she wanted to give it to the house-less instead. “She definitely considers them her neighbors and friends. On the holidays when we might have an excess of food, we’ll take walks to deliver hot plates and spend some time with our neighbors and friends who don’t have the same. I feel really lucky to have a daughter with such a compassionate and empathetic spirit for others.”
Rheanna started a new, demanding job a few months ago that’s been challenging to manage as a single mother. The tight knit community in her neighborhood (and former nanny living across the street) is the saving grace and makes such a difference for her daughter. “Paloma’s often asking to make cards, bake treats, and give gifts to the house-less who live near us. Sometimes we all just sit on the sidewalk and talk for an hour. We take walks to ask what they need and to deliver hot meals.”
When we arrived we had some hard decisions to make. Barbies? But, they all looked so skinny. And not very diverse. A barbie HORSE? Who wouldn’t love that (Paloma told her mom to add it to her wish list). A music box? A unicorn tea set? Playdough sets? I picked up one set “everyone loves playdough sets!” but Paloma suggested another, “this is the one you want”, she explained. Done. We picked out some playdough sets, the unicorn tea set, a music box, and head out.
It was such a rewarding morning to spend them Rheanna and Paloma. Made me happy to be part of such a small, but meaningful act of holiday service. Rheanna explains, “I think it’s especially important to build a practice of service around the holidays. Because it’s a time of gift-giving, it’s easy for kids to lose focus of others and think just about their own wish lists. Creating a tradition and routine of service, especially during the holidays, builds a deeper sense of gratitude for what we have.” I agree, and am feeling so inspired to share the morning with these two beautiful souls!
So much cuteness in this post!
What a wonderful thing you’re doing with your kids!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com