I did not know what to expect. For the past two years, I had donated a presents to a boy named Damien at the Pacanow dom dziecko for Christmas, but this year was the first year that I volunteered for the actual trip. I decided to take my six year old son Kazio along. He is forever daydreaming about all the things his parents can buy for him, so I thought it would be beneficial for him to see kids who get by with a lot less. Driving up to a low, brown building, seemingly in the middle of nowhere and on such a cold gray day, I thought, Aha, this is the just the thing to make Kazio cherish his twin sisters (who he constantly fights with), our cozy house and the mountains of toys in his room.” But, inside, the sisters and the children were so warm and welcoming that I think the trip left the opposite impression! This dom dziecko was brimming with smiles, love, and warmth inside. Christmas lights twinkled on trees covered with handmade ornaments. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and then the children performed their traditional Christmas pageant, singing Polish Christmas songs.Alia handed out the presents, one by one, calling each child’s name. Big huge boxes, bags taped tightly shut. Ikea bags stuffed to the brim with presents. All sizes and shapes, all holding wonderful delicious secrets inside. And, the children, big and small, so patiently waiting....until it was time to open their gifts. Then, a deafening roar of paper being ripped, tape being snipped, boxes torn open, and ohhs and ahhs, clothes being tried on, cars being filled with batteries and then lights flashing, rollarblades examined, new trains put on new tracks. What a delight! And, candy so generously shared between children, lollipops and chocolates, sweeties galore. And, then Co dostalasz?” (what did you get?) the children shared their loot and took it to their rooms. The nuns led a chorus of Dziekujemy! Dziekujemy! Dziekujemy! Dziekujemy!” (we thank you) The children gave each of us cards and handmade angels. My son asked me to read the message inside, but I was holding back tears and couldn’t respond right then. I’m not sure exactly what he learned from the trip, but for me the message was clear. We have so much to be grateful for – for our own comfortable life, of course, but also that the world is filled each day with the kindness of these nuns and the smiles and laughter of these children. Dziekujemy, indeed.
Anne Alexander
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