It’s not what’s under the tree that matters on Christmas, but the hearts who are gathered around it.
For one homeless man living in Sacramento, the gift of kindness took him to his family’s Christmas tree for the first time in years.
Alan Duffany, 52, has been homeless most of his adult life. His family in Tennessee didn’t know where or how to find him.
But this year, Duffany was draped in compassion, enveloped in encouragement, and given a priceless gift. It all started with one woman, driving down the road wearing kindness like a cozy blanket.
Duffany was a regular fixture as a panhandler on a busy Sacramento road.
He met a woman named Jody Revak who would often stop and give him pocket change here and there.
Duffany was panhandling on a typical December day when Revak rolled down her window with a question. “Alan, if there was something I could get you for Christmas, what would that be?” Revak asked.
And Duffany told her. If he could have one Christmas wish, it would be to see his sister in Tennessee.
Duffany covered his face with his hands and sobbed when he heard Revak’s response.
“I’m going to make that happen for you,” she said.
With the help of her friend Stephanie Rice, Revak coordinated a Christmas homecoming for her homeless friend.
She bought Duffany a bus ticket to Sneedville, Tennessee, where his sister Rose Cooper lived.
Before Duffany’s departure, the two women gifted him with new clothes, a fresh look for his fresh start.
Duffany’s sister called the women “angels” for bringing her brother home for Christmas.
To Revak, she was just doing what she felt was right. “There was just something about him that I just connected with,” she said of Duffany.
“I don’t think anybody should be alone at Christmas,” Revak said. “And if I could make one wish, I’m grateful that I could.”