Monday, February 2, 2009

Like Christmas, but better.

So, I cried at work today.

I received some mail. I adopted a family for Christmas through a program at Corporate Behemoth. The company partnered with an inner-city program that serves children way, way below the poverty line. Twenty-five percent of the children they serve are homeless.

So, I felt a little less guilty about the fact that I went a bit overboard with my Christmas shopping. I had such a good time! My family was a single mom and her 10-month-old daughter. And really? If you don't have fun Christmas shopping for a 10-month-old, you are dead inside.

Today, I received a thank you package from the sponsoring organization. It included a note about how despite the hard economic times, folks really came through for the families in need. They noted that one family that had been donors in the past found themselves in need of assistance this year.

The package also included a handwritten note tucked inside a pale yellow envelope.

Dear Family,

All that you've done is greatly appreciated. Times are a little tough. My fiance has been layed off yet we still find the means to help who we can. One of my friends is a single mom not making much so we try to help her out with formula and diapers. So everything you have done for us is going twords more good. We are the type of people who try and do the greater good whenever we see possible. We are very blessed to have people like y'all to help when we need it. I hope youre family has as great a holiday as ours will be. In all sincerity thank you.

And tucked inside the note was a picture of a very young, smiling woman with a little girl in a red sweater.

So, yeah, I cried at work today. The thing is, though, that I have received so much more than I gave. Next Christmas, I'm going to adopt, like, 27 families.

And this happiness even made me rather mellow when I got to the post office five minutes before it closed and watched as the evil lady looked at me, then closed the gate to the office and wouldn't let me in.

Bygones.

6 comments:

LaDue & Crew said...

Ok, now that made me cry! That was awesome ;o) Are you still able to give to her through the program, without having to wait for the holidays again..?

I remember, when I was a single mom, that diapers and baby food or formula was like gold to me. One of my darkest moments was when I pulled up to the drive-up bank window to pull out some cash, and the teller told me I didn't have enough in my account to take out for diapers. I had split with my ex while pregnant, and had not started receiving support yet. My heart literally dropped when the teller told me that. I pulled forward so that the next car could do their transaction, but I sat at the end of that driveway and cried like a little baby. I felt like a total loser as a mom. A good friend saved the day by buying a case of diapers for me. My life is so 180 now... truly and absolutely blessed. But my heart goes out to people in need, long after the holidays are over.

you gotta wonder said...

It is good to see some of the "after" from your generosity. What a sweet story. Thank you for sharing. This touches my heart and puts some things in my life into perspective.

Christy said...

Oh this was so sweet it really brought tears to my eyes.

Anonymous said...

Man. I love that. I'm going to cry now too.

Anonymous said...

Nothing in the world helps you forget your troubles faster than helping out someone less fortunate. You've inspired me to do the same this Christmas!

Unknown said...

Valentine's Day Fun
Restaurant Seatings, Rude Wait Staff
Why Do We Do It

I am not a fan.