Seven Days (A Short Story by Gloria)

“Seven more days and there’s almost nothing beneath the tree and little food in the fridge."

A single mother worries as she lay awake while her small kids sleep peacefully in the small bedroom they ‘all’ share because she can’t afford a larger apartment.  The bumpy sofa she sleeps on makes it very difficult to rest but she can’t afford to buy a bed, so she toss and turn waking every two to three hours throughout the night.  In her attempt to do her best for her children, she has decorated her old tree (that is being held together with wires and clear tape because a few of the artificial branches have decided to break away from the plastic casings) with ornaments from years gone by.  The aged shabby ornaments have been tucked behind the pretty ones and cannot be seen by the naked eye.  There are no lights on the tree now but she plans to buy them when she gets her cheque from social services in the next couple of days. 

Realizing that she will be receiving her cheque early because of the holidays, she thinks to herself as she sit in the dim-lit room where she has the television turned on mute so not to wake her kids.  With two small ones excited for the gifts Santa will bring them, she has managed to buy two small toys, wrapped them in holiday paper and tucked them beneath the modest tree in a corner of the tiny apartment.

“After I pay my rent, my student loan, make the rent-to-own payment, the cable company and then groceries; there won’t be much left.”  But somehow she finds the strength and continues to keep her kids excited about this one time of the year when they will get a special gift for being so good for the year.  This is a short story I just put together to bring awareness during this festive holiday season. Humanity. ~ Gloria
 

Do you know a single mother who may be going through a rough time right now?  Yes, of course you know a single mother, we all do but is she struggling to make ends meet?  Of course she is but whenever you see her, she has a huge smile on her face and she's embracing her kids because that is one of the gifts she is able to give them everyday.  She will never let you know the pain that is imprisoning her heart or the tears she bury in her pillow every night because she can’t provide for her family. What we must realize is that she needs help . . . not questions about why she put herself in such a position?

As a society that should care for and about one another every day, not just during holidays, we should focus on how can we help her rather than why is she in this position? No one is perfect and everyone needs help at some point in life. 

         What can you do?  You can go to the nearest mall, purchase a gift certificate or purchase gifts and take them to that single mother who always seems so darn happy.  But when you reach her this special holiday gift, be sure to look into her eyes this time and you’ll definitely see what she is going through.  People are in such a hurry these days that no one takes the time to look into others eyes in order to see what is really happening with them.  Take the time to look into your neighbours eyes because that’s where the truth lies.  Share your blessings. Happy Holidays Everyone!  Love Gloria