By Carmen Dillon
On an August afternoon over 20 years ago, my father left us—my mom, little sister, and me. The three of us moved in with my mom’s parents. My mom continued to homeschool us while trying to determine our family’s future.
As Christmas neared, she set aside a few second-hand clothes to wrap for us.
I don’t remember worrying about Christmas gifts. But those second-hand Christmas gifts weighed on my mom’s mind.
She knew what little girls dreamed of—dolls and toys and chocolate.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
–John 13:34-35
