Every year in San Angelo around Christmas time, a hundred homeless people are walking around wearing a brand new pair of white athletic socks. They could also be found eating a candy cane, or sharing the legend of the candy cane with their peers. It may not seem like much, but to someone who does not have a washer or dryer, does not have money to buy necessities (like more socks), or who has none at all, these socks are a welcome gift! These gifts have been given anonymously by my mother, Marty Edmiston, for over 20 years now. She has been buying candy canes, socks, stories, and ribbons for hundreds of people, most of whom she'll never even meet. They are always wrapped up by Christmas eve and dropped off at the back door of a San Angelo church. The next day they hold an annual Christmas Day soup kitchen, and the bundles are passed out. For many years we've spent time as an entire family, around the dining room table preparing these gifts, and some years she and my dad have done it by themselves. They have even made trips into San Angelo late into the night on Christmas eve, just to ensure that the bundles are there by morning. This year at Thanksgiving we shared this tradition with our children and our dear friends who joined us for turkey day! Now the two overflowing laundry baskets of socks, stories, and canes are waiting to be delivered!!!
In Molly's first grade class, each child will have a stocking hanging in the classroom and all of the classmates can drop off small trinkets and gifts this week. WELL, we decided to take Momsie's tradition and pass it on to our friends at school. Here is the story we included (a child's version) and hopefully some of Molly's classmates will share it with their family and friends as well..............
The true meaning of the Candy Cane
Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
