Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas Angels and Santa Still Exist

I’ve mentioned before that I read Post Secret from time to time…

The following exchange was posted after a secret that said, “People think I’m horrible for telling my child there is no Santa. They don’t have to look in their eyes on Christmas morning.” I normally would have just included a link to it, but he takes down the old secrets when he puts up the new ones and I didn't want to take the chance that you guys would miss this. He should be posting new ones tonight or tomorrow morning.

Head warning, I still haven’t stopped crying. Sometimes it helps to know there are still good people out there, hope for good things to come.

Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 5:18 AM
Subject: timecard you're not alone

My son just wrote Santa last night asking for that special present and I didn't have the heart to tell him that "Santa's" back injury has kept HER from waiting tables the past two weeks .

my secret:
I wish Santa Claus was real so on Christmas no child would have to go without and no parent would have to feel like they failed there child.

-Amber (with permission)


-----Email Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 12:11 AM
Subject: re: timecard you're not alone

I know I cannot do this for every child out there, but if you would tell her that there is someone out there willing to try and buy their son that gift, then I would appreciate it very much.

I am a college student with a limited budget, but it would be a lovely Christmas present for me if I were able to put a smile on the faces of two strangers on Christmas morning.


-----Email Message
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 11:53 PM
Subject: RE: timecard you're not alone

First off let me tell you how thankful I am to you and your wonderful offer. I was not in anyway expecting any sort of help I just wanted to let this person know they were not alone.

Gratefully yours,
-Amber

[Frank's Note:] (I asked Amber to set-up a PayPal account using this email address for those of us wanting to help.)

[update:] (PayPal Account information removed, as per Ameber's request.)


-----Email Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 4:05 PM
Subject: extra credit good karma AMBER

I made a donation and I was surprised at how good it felt. One does not have to be a millionaire to feel the joy of being generous.


-----Email Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 5:04 PM
Subject: RE: timecard you're not alone

Frank,

Santa Claus is real and is alive and well. He lives in you and others like you all over the world. I am overwhelmed by the love and generosity strangers have shown my family today. I never would have imagined it would get as large a response in such little time as it has. Not only will I be able to afford the present he asked for but clothes and other necessities I had been putting off.

At this time I am asking that you remove my paypal account from postsecret and I urge anyone else who wants to help someone in need to get into contact with their local community action centers.

Thank you for making my wish come true,
-Amber


Am I the only one crying like a big baby? Go do something nice for somebody. Maybe we’ll all get lucky and everyone will pass it on.

11 comments:

Mary Witzl said...

Things like that move me too. Anonymous donations, generously and unobtrusively made, with no agenda -- nothing makes me feel better about being a human being!

Merry Christmas, Merry! (I loved writing that!)

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh, that's wonderful! Merry Christmas!

silken said...

that's awesome! sometimes I feel like the little I can do makes only a little difference. but when we all put our little together, it truly makes a big difference!

Merry Christmas!!

PJD said...

The #1 reason that people don't give to charity: They were never asked.

There are stories like this all around us. Someone's hard knocks story is brought to light, and the response is overwhelming. That person's life is changed, in a small or large way, by the generosity of others.

But when I read or hear these stories, I can't help but think of the tens of thousands of other people in similar situations who were not fortunate enough to have their stories pop up like that. What I like best about this particular story is Amber's final, graceful reaction--not only thanks but a plea to take that spirit of giving and use it to help others. Amber probably could have raked in a lot more by leaving the link up.

Now, the big question is: How do we help those generous people who wanted to help Amber remember in March, June, September that need doesn't just happen during the holidays? That there are ways they can help many families, children, elderly people--change lives fundamentally every day.

verification word: undeduct
Hmm.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

I am such a wuss. I am all teary. That was lovely and a wonderful reminder of Christmas.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family, Merry!

Peace,

E

Grace said...

Merry Christmas to you and to the entire family. :)

The Anti-Wife said...

Merry Christmas!

Malcolm R. Campbell said...

Hi Merry,

Nice post.

Now that I'm here, I wanted you to know that I honored (er, tagged) you with an Honest Scrap Award here:

http://sunsinger.blogspot.com/2008/12/honest-scrap-award.html

Malcolm

laughingwolf said...

season's blessings to you and yours :D

silken said...

I have bestowed upon you an Honest Scrap Award if you want to play along!

Merry Monteleone said...

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas... or holiday, whatever you celebrate.

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here, but I hope you've all had your fill to eat and drink and that your cups runneth over with all the good gobbledy gook of the season:-)

Silken and Malcom,

Thank you for thinking of me! I'll be around to check out your posts in the coming days and will post mine soon.