The Best Gift of All
Michelle S. Lazurek
Paige can’t wait for Christmas so she can receive her favorite doll. Her mother gives her the doll, but she also lovingly hand stitches a teddy bear and offers this as another gift. Paige, unaware of the time and effort taken to make this gift, tosses the bear to the side. Mother is upset, but Paige doesn’t understand why.
She and her mom volunteer at the local food pantry. Paige meets Luisa, a girl who doesn’t have much money. Luisa shows Paige her favorite toy—a one-eared teddy bear, stained and dirty. Paige doesn’t understand why Luisa likes that bear until she hears her story. When Paige comes home and picks up the bear her Mom made, she realizes the best gifts of all are not the ones that come wrapped with pretty dresses, but the ones made with great love.
She and her mom volunteer at the local food pantry. Paige meets Luisa, a girl who doesn’t have much money. Luisa shows Paige her favorite toy—a one-eared teddy bear, stained and dirty. Paige doesn’t understand why Luisa likes that bear until she hears her story. When Paige comes home and picks up the bear her Mom made, she realizes the best gifts of all are not the ones that come wrapped with pretty dresses, but the ones made with great love.