Related by Thomas S. Monson
Gene
was ten years old; World War II was raging, and times were difficult. His
mother would go each year into the potato fields in Jerome, Idaho, to make
extra money so that her children might have a Christmas—not an extravagant one,
but one where each of her three children could have one special gift.
Also
an annual tradition was the drawing of names in the local school for gift
giving. That year, as the names were drawn as usual, Gene knew he would be
happy with any name as long as it wasn’t Charlotte’s. No one wanted to draw her
name. She was not as cute as the other girls, and her clothes were torn and
dirty. All of the children tried to avoid her.
As
Gene walked to the front of the room to pick a name, his heart was full of
anticipation. However, as he reached in and pulled out the slip of paper, his
heart sank and he couldn’t believe what he saw. The name Charlotte was written
there in big, bold letters.
Mortified,
Gene determined not to tell anyone whose name he had drawn. Later that evening
during supper, it took urging from his mother before he grudgingly whispered
the truth. A hush fell around the table. Then with great enthusiasm, Gene’s mother
said, “How wonderful!”
Gene’s
mother knew everyone in Jerome and knew of Charlotte’s family. They lived in a
very humble home with no indoor plumbing, and life was difficult for them.
Gene’s mother also knew that this year, as in years past, Charlotte would have
no Christmas at all. She knew as well that year after year, as the children of
the school would pick her name, Charlotte never once received a present.
Gene’s
mother worked extra hard in the potato fields that year so that Charlotte could
have a special present. Anger filled his heart when his mother showed him the
beautiful porcelain doll she had purchased. He knew that even his own sister
had never received anything quite so special. This was surely too good for
Charlotte!
The
following day the children took their gifts to school and placed them carefully
under the tree. Gene went early so no one would see that his gift was for
Charlotte. The hour approached, and the children were called to sit around the
tree. Each one came except for Charlotte, who knew that once again she would
receive no gift. She sat silently at her desk.
Each
of the gifts was opened until only Charlotte’s was left. The teacher picked up
the gift and took it to Charlotte. As she carefully began to open the present,
Charlotte’s hands shook.
All
eyes were on her. As she reached into the box and carefully lifted out the
doll, tears began to fall from her eyes. She held the porcelain doll to her
heart and caressed it and rocked back and forth, back and forth. Charlotte felt
loved! Gene had to choke back the tears, as did everyone else in the class that
day. Each one felt the true Christmas spirit.
There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all
of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by the Savior. It is the
time to love the Lord with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. We
must make Christmas real.
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