After his children rejected his invitation to celebrate Christmas together, an elderly man was disappointed to find himself spending the holiday alone once more. His 7-year-old grandson surprises him by showing up at the door to make up for the rest of their family’s absence.

“Happy 7th birthday, Sean and Gregory,” Stewart said as he gave his twin boys their birthday presents.

“Is this what I think it is, dad?!” Shaking the package, Sean inquired.

“Please let it be the tablet I’ve been wanting!” Gregory repeated.

When they simultaneously opened their gift bags, they were disappointed to discover that their father had given them matching sweaters rather than the items they had requested.

“I apologize, everyone. I didn’t have much money left over to buy you gifts because we’re a little tight on cash these days. In order to provide you what you desire next year, I swear to work even harder. Alright?” Feeling embarrassed that he was unable to fulfill his sons’ desires, he apologized.

Sean grumbled, “I’m tired of being poor,” and entered his room. “Gregory and I are the only ones in our class without tablets,” he murmured.

Stewart has found it challenging to raise his three kids by himself. He had to take on all of the parenting duties after his wife passed away, which included covering all of the costs by himself.

He once picked up Lucy, his daughter, from ballet class. He noticed Lucy sitting by herself in the corner, her head lowered in tears.

“Lucy, sweetheart, what’s the matter?” replied the man.

“My pointe shoes are torn, and my classmates are making fun of me because of it, Dad. The thrift store is where these came from! In order to stop them from making fun of me, may we please get new ones? They made me feel bad!” she exclaimed.

Stewart let out a sigh. He was aware that purchasing a new pair of pointe shoes for her was out of his price range. “Lucy, I apologize. A new pair of pointe shoes will be our first purchase when dad’s pay is raised. “All right?” he asked her.

“You always say that!” Lucy let out a cry and then left right away. Stewart trailed in defeat behind her.

Stewart gathered the kids around the dinner table for Christmas. Since he didn’t have any additional cash for individual gifts that year, he made an effort to prepare all of their favorite foods.

“I made your favorite apple pie, Lucy. I went to the store and got some baked spaghetti, Sean. I also roasted a full chicken, Gregory. Your favorites!” “Happy Christmas, my darling kids,” he said.

Gregory, Lucy, and Sean began to realize that they would not receive any presents that year. But since Christmas was their favorite season, they didn’t want to spoil the fun.

The three children had a snowball fight with their father after they finished their meal together and walked outdoors to shape a giant snowman. Even though their mother was no longer with them, they wanted to continue the family tradition.

Suddenly, Stewart heard a short knock on the door. “Who is it?” he called out, somehow hoping that his children decided to show up to spend Christmas with him this year.

After many years, all of Stewart’s children had their own families. Despite living in the same city, none of them ever made the effort to come to Stewart’s house, and he was left alone for the majority of the year.

Sitting in a wheelchair, Stewart would frequently gaze at old family photos. One picture in particular caught his attention, showing him and his kids building a snowman outside the house. They were content, and his children’s sincere grins were invaluable.

He remembered working multiple shifts every day to provide them with tiny gifts and a nice Christmas supper, but they were never enough. He smiled as he looked at a picture of his late wife.

“You don’t age, honey,” he said, addressing the image as though he were speaking to his spouse. “Our children craved more, but I did my best to be the greatest father I could be. I really do miss you. You kept the house together and were my partner in everything,” he said.

Stewart chose to send out another invitation to their kids after perusing family pictures. “Maybe this will finally be the year they’ll answer my invitation,” he thought to himself.

On Christmas Eve, Stewart waited anxiously outside the window for his kids to arrive. As he observed his neighbors enjoying themselves together in their backyards, he thought to himself, “How I wish…”

Before he heard a brief rap on the door, Stewart was certain that his kids had once again rejected his invitation. He yelled, “Who is it?” in the hopes that his kids might choose to join him for Christmas this year.

A little boy said, “Hi, grandpa,” as he opened the door.

“Hey Tim! What a surprise!” Stewart grinned. “Is it only you? How did you arrive here by yourself?”

Tim gave a sorrowful nod. “My parents disregard me, even on Christmas Eve. They have too much job to do. Grandpa, I chose to walk here because I know how much you enjoy Christmas,” the child disclosed.

Stewart decided to get dressed in an attempt to lift his grandson’s spirits. “All well, then. We should celebrate this!” “I’ll have a great Christmas with you,” Stewart assured Tim. “Kids deserve to play under the snow every Christmas,” he stated.

Even though Stewart couldn’t stay outside for very long, the two of them went outside. If he ever became too cold, his doctor cautioned, he could have a heart attack or suffer from renal and liver failure.

Stewart was adamant about making his grandson happy in spite of this. Together, they carved a massive snowman and used their hands to create snowballs. Tim was having a great time with his grandfather outside the home when his parents noticed him absent.

Stewart sadly passed out on the ground shortly after, and they had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital.

When Stewart awoke in the hospital, he was informed that he had hypothermia. The fact that his kids and grandkids were gathered around his hospital bed astonished him more than the diagnosis.

He smiled as he questioned his kids, “Was this what had to happen to me for you to see me during Christmas?”

“Tim stated you were too busy to join him for Christmas, so he came to my place. It’s Christmas! There is nothing more significant than spending Christmas with loved ones.” Gregory, Stewart’s son, was asked.

“When you don’t spend Christmas with Tim on a typical day, I can’t even begin to understand how it must feel. I’m hoping you get better.” “Your kids deserve your time,” he continued.

It dawned on Gregory and his two siblings, Lucy and Sean, that Stewart was correct. When Stewart tried to give them so much more than that—he gave them his time, his love, and his care—they spent all those years concentrating on the material gifts he could provide.

Gregory, Sean, and Lucy discussed seeing Stewart on a regular basis when he recovered from the hospital. They wanted their kids to spend as much time as possible with their grandfather since they understood that their father was not getting any younger.

They would have supper together every weekend. During the Christmas season, the children would love telling stories to their grandfather and building snowmen with him.