Globe Santa: It’s easy to feel helpless when life’s woes converge

It’s no secret that the cost of living – including the price of food, rent, heat and child care – has risen sharply in the last few years.

Families with two working parents are finding it harder to stay afloat, let alone save money. Parents facing hardships are falling further behind.

When the holiday season arrives, many of these parents, grandparents and other caregivers are left feeling helpless. A Boston grandmother and grandfather, for example, are raising their three adored grandchildren and their circumstances make it a struggle.

“This year has been tough,” the grandfather writes. “Still battling cancer and I’ve been trying so hard to look for a job. My wife prays and tells me not to give up hope and have faith. Some days are harder than others but raising these grandbabies makes life worth living.”

A single mother from Boston told Globe Santa that she and her 3-year-old son spent the last 18 months living in a homeless shelter. At long last, they are in their own apartment, and she wants their first holiday at home to be special.

Many who ask for Globe Santa’s assistance have been trying hard for years to escape extreme poverty. A myriad of circumstances make upward mobility painfully difficult including chronic illness, job loss, death of a loved one, to name just a few.

But whatever their situation, every parent wants their child to have a happy holiday.

“This last year has been incredibly challenging for our family,” the mother of a 9-year-old girl writes Globe Santa. “We unexpectedly lost my dad three days after my birthday. I also had a horrific accident at work.”

If that wasn’t enough, her daughter underwent surgery for an eye condition earlier this year.

“This little princess of mine has been through so much,” the girl’s mother writes. “She remains strong and resilient.”

Her daughter is artistic and creative, she adds, and has a huge heart.

“One thing that truly amazes me is her generosity and compassion for others. I thank God every day for her kind heart and thank you for all the kindness and generosity you show with families like ours.”

Thanks to the generous donors who support Globe Santa, these three families will be among the thousands this year who receive gifts from the campaign.

Rather than enduring another difficult day, their children will experience the thrill of finding presents with their names on them.

You can help make a child happy during the holidays by giving to Globe Santa at globesanta.org.

Christopher Tangney can be reached at [email protected]

For 69 years Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation, has provided gifts to children in need at holiday time. Please consider giving by phone, mail, or online at globesanta.org.

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