“I don't have anything，”

　　he said. “We're

　　so poor.”

　　We're only “poor” because

　　we refuse to buy him the cellphone he wants.

　　At work the next day, one of my students handed me a Christmas gift－a box of chocolates. The woman had been out of work for months!

　　“Thank you,

　　Joanna，”

　　I said.

　　I hadn't expected a gift － I work at an adult education center, where we deal with people every day who struggle economically. The economic downturn is not new to those who are laid off, without work, and need an education to get ahead or for a sense of pride. When I was hired, my boss told me she tried to keep snacks around the center, because

　　“You will hear growling bellies here.

　　They give their food to the children

　　before they themselves eat.”

　　And yet these people, so grateful for a second chance of getting an education, unable to sometimes even afford the gas

　　money to come in,

　　manage to do something for us nearly every week.

　　Some bring in food;

　　others do chores around the center. They give what they are able to give.

　　When I brought the candies home to share with my family, I told them just how precious each chocolate was if you thought of how much the unemployed woman's family makes a year. Perhaps the way I could help my son understand best was for me to do first.

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