This weekend a man and his wife, people I knew through my oldest son's boyscout phase, came to visit. The man retired from the BSA last year, I don't really remember what he was, but he was the one that played the bugle. His wife is a den mother for the youngest of boy scouts. They are wonderful people, and I have never heard a bad word about them.
Saturday they came out. A month ago, I had ran into them at the local grocery. They asked if my middle son would be joining scouts. I told them what happened, and that we just couldn't afford the fees right now. My middle child wants to be a scout, just not feasible.
They showed up in my driveway wit some gifts for us. Homemade pumpkin bread, apple butter and a honey ham. I was surprised. The man informed me that when he was a child, he was very poor. Their Christmas tree was from his class room at school. He was allowed to take it home at break. He then told me when he got into college and became successful he was ecstatic that he was now in a position to help others. Soon he discovered that people that are in need, don't necessarily want to work for the help. He said that he could see that we work hard, we are willing to work. He then told me that all of my middle son's fees would be waived. I just had to get him to the meetings. Talk about me tearing up.
I told my oldest son that this is the best Christmas ever, he just doesn't realize yet. He will, they all will some day.
It is hard not to sink into a depression however. I know to some this might sound like I am being ungrateful. But really it isn't. I have never experienced this, people coming out of the wood work to help me and my family. I have been thinking of it as Karma. All the years I have done the Blogathon (those that missed it this year, it was canceled) staying up blogging for 24 hours straight raising money for Farm Aid. The years I spent handing out food, growing food, giving people a second chance that didn't always deserve it. ha! My husband no longer thinks that he should become a bad guy. He has been spat on by people he had tried to help for so many years, that he was tired of being a good guy. He will stay the good guy I simply adore.
I promise, no more mushy talk tomorrow, back to homesteading everybody.
19 comments:
I think its natural to feel overwhelmed by everything that's happened. I mean its not like these kinds of things happen to us personally every day or even every year. Honestly, if you knew how to process it all perfectly, I'd be a little concerned. Happy Holidays!
I agree with Kathie. You've been through/are going through alot. Give yourself some time to process it all. But I am glad that this has shaped up to be a wonderful Christmas for you after all.
I remember some brilliant person commenting something about getting past the inevitable bad so that the good has room to happen. Or something profound like that! :) Besides, "mushy" is half the reason I visit!
And did you get your computer problem solved? If not, email me and I'll run in by the Husband, although he's more of a forensic guy than a I.T.-geek. :)
You are experiencing what my family and I did last year. My husband had been out of a job for awhile and we were barely making ends meet, just enough to pay the mortage and a few bills, with nearly nothing left over for gas or food. Total strangers at my mother in laws' church got together and bought us over $100 in groceries, yet another church member gave us $, and a blog-friend sent me a check. It was unfathomable that strangers were willing to help us, and we are eternally grateful and when times are better for us, we will return the favor to someone else that needs it.
I'm glad that you have had some good people come forward to help you out. Hope you have a good Christmas.
Mushy or not these are the Christmas stories I love. I am truly sorry your family has to go through this, but hearing about the kindness of strangers is good for my soul. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad.
You know and we know that when the time comes to give back [when you are able] you will do it and with aplomb.
It is stories like yours that keep my faith in humanity.
I am so excited for your son! That is such a great present :D
I'm so happy for you all.
Thanks for sharing. Stories like these are what inspire people to be the traditional Americans we now exist.
Love to you and your family.
You said something a few posts back about a 'Little House' moment. This is another. The good guys win in the end- that's how it's supposed to be. We all need occasional reminders of that. Things like this can restore our faith in humanity- it has mine.
Have the best Christmas ever!
for those of us who are independent it is harder to receive than to give. let everyone be jesus to you this christmas. take what they offer while you need it. you will be on the giving end again sometime soon.
It is difficult, I know, but enjoy the help and when you can, pay it forward.
i liked your comment about Karma....what you put out in the world will always come back to you!
and all of the years that you helped others out or participated in activities that helped out others, and you did so from the goodness and charity in your heart...well Karma just did its magic! and at xmas too! how lovelly!
i am sorry that you have been going through such hard times...but sit back...and breathe...and let it sink in that these strangers and acquaintances are doing what feels good to them....like you have done for others in the past. and then pay it forward as you always have.
all the best to you and your family during this holiday season!
kymber
I often wonder, when I read homesteading blogs, if the people I learn from ever have a 'bad day'. I often must tell my girls that they cannot do something or have something because we do not have the money. I too find it difficult to accept help yet am grateful when that help is offered.
*hugs* Your a good mom. Thank you for showing us that you are human. =)
A good friend shared with me some wonderful wisdom about giving & receiving. She said that her grandmother told her this.. "For a blessing to be complete, there has to be a giver and a receiver. Sometimes you have the privilege of being the giver, but remember it always takes two. Otherwise the blessing is incomplete." You are a natural giver, and to be on the other side must be really hard to accept, but please put yourself in the shoes of the person helping you. They want to do this for you and it will be a huge gift to them to do this for your family. :)
Keep your chin up and know how much so many people care about you.
How wonderful for your son. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
I know the saying is, "It's better to give than to receive," but that might be because it is EASIER to give than to receive. You are doing the hard work of swallowing some pride to accept others' generosity -- and as someone noted here earlier, you really are doing a favor to the givers, by allowing them to share with you. Have a wonderful Christmas, and may the New Year put you back in the giver's seat, wiser for the experience.
Bless you and your family and I hope 2009 will be a happier one for all of you. Never say die, you never know what is around the corner. Merry Christmas,
Margaret
Pssst...Phelan, some of us don't mind "mushy." Embrace the mush! :)
Merry Christmas!
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