Camden, Maine—

Imagine my surprise when a knock came on my front door and I opened it to see a bag on my porch. I see a woman getting into car not looking at me, not saying anything to me, just getting in and driving away. I’m confused and wondering what is this all about or should I pick this up, especially considering our world today. But I pick it up anyway and oh my goodness was that bag so heavy. I had just had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands about 2 months ago and picking up that jar was one heck of a job. I carried that bag into my kitchen and started untying the outside Hannaford bags. Not being able to untie them because they’re soaking wet from the rain, I get my kitchen shears to cut the bags open to find a tall Christmas gift bag. I open the gift bag, look inside and just get a glimpse of the jar of money and break down and cry. On October 26th my job was eliminated without cause, without notice and I have not had any prospects until recently when I start a new job on January 7th. With the carpal tunnel surgery and the loss of my job I have been struggling but with the gifts the community has been offering me I’ve been able to manage. This week has been extremely difficult as the cash on hand was dwindling, gas was needed to get me to where I needed to go. I also needed laundry money. Opening that jar on my kitchen table, pouring it out and seeing the plethora of coins and the few bills that were inserted in the jar caused me to rejoice over and over again. All day I had been struggling with a variety of little setbacks but kept thinking positive and that faith is the way to go. That jar proved that my prayers could be answered and that having faith and living by faith is good. I am excited to pass on this Christmas jar tradition to another family next year. I’m grateful that I will begin the year off with a new job and be able to stash away my change in that jar for some other needy family who experienced the same troubles I’ve experienced this Christmas season. There are really no words to express the overwhelming feeling of unconditional love that this Christmas Jar represents. I am so grateful for this anonymous tradition.

—Rachel Smolenski