Dear editor,
I work at an elementary school here in the Comox Valley.
Our Parent Advisory Council sponsored a fundraising event. The school community donated gently used items that would be sold to the students for $1 each.
The idea was that students could shop for their parents and siblings in an inexpensive way that would in the end benefit the school. These dedicated parents even provided a gift-wrapping service to ensure that the gifts were ready to put under the tree.
As an employee of the school I went down to shop. A small child was also shopping and shared with me her dilemma.
She had picked out a wonderful bracelet for her mother and a My Little Pony toy for herself. As she was showing me her treasures she slowly opened her palm to reveal one loonie.
She understood that each item would cost a dollar and that she did not have enough money for both.
I said to her, "You have a tough choice to make. Do you buy the bracelet for your mother or the pony for yourself?"
I moved off to give her some space but kept an eye on her. She stood for a moment and then walked over and put the pony back. As I met her at the checkout, she looked up and said to me, "I love this bracelet and I love my mom."
I think she said it all. That is one great child and we are lucky to have so many at Aspen Park Elementary School.
Patti Holatko,
Comox Valley
Editor's note: Patti Holatko is a library clerk at Aspen Park Elementary School.