For 10 years, Irene Lewellen of Waipahu was married to a man whom she says is "sweet" and "kind" at heart.

However, the couple separated because of her husband's addiction to drugs.

Lewellen, 44, now struggles as a single mother, barely able to make ends meet for herself and her teenage son.

Her only sources of income are occasional child support payments and the meager income she earns working part-time at a discount department store.

Because she has a disability to her left foot, she is unable to stand for long periods. Her podiatrist has restricted her activity, leaving her unable to work more than 16 hours a week. Sometimes even that's too much.

Yet, according to Kimey Kalua, Lewellen's case worker at Catholic Charities Hawaii, "Irene is someone who believes in hard work. She never asks for help."

Lewellen's eldest son, Bucky, an Army soldier who just returned from his first tour of duty in Iraq, tries to assist the family financially. Sometimes, his mother accepts. Far more often, she resists.

"I refuse money from my son unless I absolutely need it, because he is still young and I want him to save for his future," Lewellen said.

That leaves her with few options other than to do without. There are bills that must be paid.

"Even though I'm having a hard time, I would rather give than receive," she said.

Which makes Christmas difficult. Gift-giving is out of the question. And although she's a little uneasy with the idea, Lewellen has concluded that if one is unable to give, one can be gracious in acceptance.

So, on Christmas, she will be grateful for anything at all the family receives — be it a gift card for her younger son, Branden, so he can have that PS3 boxing game he's been wanting, or a few needed household items for herself.

The simple kindness of others, by itself, is a holiday blessing worthy of joyful appreciation, is how she sees it.