1 . “I have no idea what to get you this New Year,” my husband Larry said. I _________ with a knowing smile as the same _________ to me in finding him something. _________ we like remembering each other with gifts on holiday, we had reached the _________ in lives where we didn’t need more things. Actually, we were _________, clearing out and getting rid of unneeded stuff.

Then an online article was _________. It was about schools having to turn away some children from receiving _________ for they had no money to pay. And a thought _________ me. “Let’s each give money to the school for our presents,” I said _________ the article with Larry. “Great idea. It's also a __________ to pay it forward,—to offer our kindness and love,” Larry smiled.

When our children were small, Larry and I were __________, losing sources of income. During the hard time, we __________ to pay any bill. It wasn't easy for us to ask for help, as we’d been brought up on principles of __________. Someone then offered a hand.

Now that we were in much more __________ circumstances, we could give back. I visited our local elementary school, and explained we'd like to help children who couldn’t __________ their lunches. The receptionist looked first __________ and then pleased. She __________ me to the cafeteria to talk with the head there. The lady taking __________ accepted our gift of cash with thanks. “This will make a big __________ to so many children,she said.

__________ there weren't as many presents in our room, but it was one of our best New Years.