To the Editor:
In addition to providing shelter, food, clothing and counselling to homeless and runaway youth from all over British Columbia, Covenant House in Vancouver teaches young people important life skills. One young woman we have been helping, Elsie, has been working on her budgeting skills. One of her struggles is that she has a burning need to spend any and all money as soon as she gets her hands on it. Her weakness is clothing! The other day she requested that she be given the "go ahead" to spend some cash on clothes. We sat down to discuss her weekly budget.
We reminded her that Christmas was coming up and asked her if there was anyone in particular that she would want to buy gifts for. Elsie has mentioned in the past that she has a twin brother (and his family) that she is close to. With tears in her eyes, she said that no one, not even her brother, has called her in a long time, so she wouldn't need to be buying presents. She got really quiet and the tears started rolling down her face. With a whimper, she whispered, "I don't want to be alone this Christmas."
We reassured her that she is not alone and that her brother certainly loves her and is maybe just unable to reach her. She continued to cry. One of her friends happened to walk up at that point and asked if she would like to do some window shopping with her she had overheard some of the conversation and wanted to help. Elsie smiled and wiped the tears from her face. She looked at me as if about to ask if it were ok, and I said "sometimes a little retail therapy is just what a girl needs" and gave permission for her to take a few dollars from her savings.
She came back feeling like a million bucks!
Many people struggle through the Christmas season: some are lonely, some have un-fond memories of Christmas and some, like our youth, are homeless. It's important to use extra TLC with those in our lives who may be having a hard time at Christmas and take a moment to do something special for them. Michelle Clausius, Covenant House, Vancouver, BC.
