Robbed at Christmas

Back in my senior year of college, just a few days before I was supposed to fly home to Houston for Christmas break, I got a call I’ll never forget. My mom’s voice was shaky as she told me:

“We’ve been robbed.”

Thieves had literally pulled the pillowcases off our beds to haul away every gift under the tree and whatever small valuables they could find.

My parents weren’t home, thankfully. But it rattled us. Anyone who knows my mom knows how much she pours into Christmas — the planning, the gifts, the joy she wraps into every detail. And just like that, all of it was gone.

But here’s the part that stays with me: on Christmas Eve, my dad’s coworkers showed up at our front door with a handful of gifts.

Some for my little sister and me. Some for my parents. Nothing extravagant — just thoughtful, intentional acts of kindness.

Inside the wallet they gave my dad was over $100 in cash. It wasn’t about the amount. It was the message underneath it:

“You’re not alone. We see you. We’re with you.”

That moment reminded me that generosity is rarely about resources — it’s about awareness. It’s about noticing when someone’s load is heavier than usual and choosing to step toward them instead of around them.

As we navigate the holiday season — closing out the year, juggling responsibilities, taking care of customers, and managing life outside of work — let’s keep our eyes open. Generosity is often quiet. It looks like checking in. Encouraging someone who’s running low. Offering help before it’s asked for.

When we practice generosity, we create the kind of environment where people can breathe, grow, and do their best work — not because they have to, but because they feel supported.

You never know how much light a small act of awareness might bring into someone’s world.