On Christmas Day in 2012, when I was fourteen, I didn't get a single Christmas present. That wasn't a 1. It was what I had 2. A week before Christmas, I decided that 3 presents, I wanted donations to buy presents for the children in the local orphanage (孤儿院).
When I told my family and friends about my plan, there were a lot of 4 but also support. However, it was only on Christmas Day that the reality hit me. When my baby sisters jumped out of bed, singing carols and opening presents, I lay there feeling 5 and making a list of all the things I really wanted for Christmas that year. I realized I had made a huge mistake.
As I 6 on the door of the orphanage that morning, I felt 7 because I realized how unprepared I was for what was 8. I even had the 9 of dropping the bags of presents outside the orphanage and10. I almost did, but then a kind woman opened the door and smiled when she 11 me in. I was taken to a room full of children, and was 12 angry at how empty it felt. I wanted the room to be filled with 13instead of fear. I wanted to make these children smile but I was 14.
But then something happened. As the workers in the orphanage 15 presents, the 16 in the room changed. I could see the 17 in the eyes of the children and their bodies filled with hope. I 18 feeling so powerless. A little girl, Diana, ran up to me and 19 my legs. I didn't know I was crying 20 she asked me, "Auntie, why are you crying?" This only made me cry more.
