December 2025 "The Gift" by Jacob Delayo

What is the word you think of when you think of Christmas? Is it the Christmas lights or the long lines at Target? As I grew up, all I could think about was presents. Let me tell you a story about this dad and his little boy. The father's name was David, and he grew up in Pomona, Los Angeles, with his mother who was tough on him. He was a knucklehead who always got in trouble all the way till his late 30s. Then he had a little boy. His name was Isaac. Isaac grew up with his dad, and this changed David. His world turned upside down. He took one look at his little boy, and he changed. David took his son to Riverside. He wanted to give his son a life that he never had. David worked hard late at night. He took the bus everywhere with little Isaac.

As David grew up, he always wanted to spend time with family and open up presents. He never did open the presents or spend time with his family. So, when Isaac came along, he wanted to give Isaac the life he never had. Isaac was the only child. It was Isaac and David against the world. Isaac never knew that they were poor. I guessed that Isaac was grateful for having a loving dad, and that was enough for him. David and Isaac lived in an apartment with a small kitchen and, small living room. The apartment had two bedrooms, one for a roommate and the other for Isaac and David.

There was a little 3-foot Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Isaac never had online games or a game system. All he had for fun was skateboarding. It taught him that when you fall, you never give up, and you try again till you succeed. Around Christmas time, David had no money for presents. He wanted to get Isaac presents, so he went in search of a way to get some presents for him. He went to look at the stores for discounts. He could not find anything; the search was no longer. David felt like he had failed, so he went to his wisest friend. David said, “I want to get Isaac some presents,” and he explained the situation to Mike. Mike said, “David, you have given Isaac something that you never had. That is a loving father and stability. Christmas is not about the presents; it is about being with family. I know where you can get Isaac some presents.” David went to this present giveaway. At the time, he had no car but managed to get the presents to the house. On Christmas, Isaac loved his two presents. This Christmas was different from the past. He walked into the living room, and the room was flooded with presents. Isaac got a rush of adrenaline and felt an overwhelming joy. David thought to himself, Success. Isaac went up to David and said, “You are my hero, I love you, Dad.” Thirteen years later, now reflecting on what my dad did for me. It brought me a lot of joy seeing all of those presents. The sacrifice that my dad made to have the best life that I have had.

The word, I think, is FAMILY. Christmas is a season when there is huddling around a fire pit and roasting marshmallows. As a kid, I could not wait until midnight. The silent night before it hits midnight was just so exciting. It was when my Dad let me open a present. There was so much anticipation that no one could sleep the night before. Once in a slumber, the stars were dancing in the night. The next morning, it was as quiet as it could be. And then, there were presents; let the unwrapping begin!