The Most Memorable Experience....

Of all the experiences that made the two weeks in Honduras a success: the Maya ruins, the wildlife, the whole godfather business, perhaps the most memorable were the “Santa Rounds” on Christmas Eve. I’ve mentioned these before, so I won’t belabor the event here beyond some general observations.

The “Santa Rounds” consisted of two components: prearranged stops (with specific kid’s names on bags) and random distribution. Of the 100+ bags we put together, probably 60 percent were generic boy and girl bags suitable for any random kid we happened across. In many ways, these latter group was more special in that distribution was totally random and the recipients completely surprised by their gift. Most of these kids came from families living in extreme poverty outside of town which made the endeavor all the more worthwhile. We also carried with us that day in the back of the pickup bags of candy we freely distributed to any kids we ran across, particularly groups of them where we didn’t have enough bags to go around. At one point outside of town we were chased some length down a rough, winding trail by a gang of giggling barefoot children to whom we tossed out candy by the hand full. We suggested the driver put some distance between the “sleigh” and the kids lest we have a pint-sized mob scene were they to catch up with us.

I think the following picture sums up well the essence of the “Santa Rounds” endeavor: a random kid happy with an unexpected present. He was among the recipients late that afternoon just across the bridge leading out of town. We parked here in hopes of making that day’s final distributions to kids and families heading back to their homes up in the hills. What the picture cannot capture is the hope, the wish that we were able to make someone’s life a little better for at least one day and what intangible impact, if any, such a little, unexpected gift may make in the long term. As a realist, I’m sure the significance faded for most not long after the fruit and candy were consumed and the toys broken or lost. But perhaps for one or two, the memory will stay with them, possibly dormant for years until maybe..just maybe…they’re inspired to do some small thing that will bring happiness to someone else, even if it is just for a day.