On Christmas Eve I went to my parent’s house to have dinner with my family. There was a knock at the door and it was my childhood best friend who lives out of state. While I was thrilled to see him, I quickly learned he was not in town in the best of circumstances. His mom needs heart surgery next month, and the doctors are not giving her a high chance of survival. Although he could not afford the trip, he felt it important to spend Christmas with his mom, as it could be her last. He told me he had used some his rent money to be able to make the drive, and I gave the envelope with $100 to him. He gave me a hug and thanked me, because that money made things just a little bit easier during this already tough time.