What a weekend. I went to church yesterday morning and weeped through the entire service. I guess that is a good thing, I have not cried in a long time. I must have felt safe there to do so. After the service the youth group leader asked to speak to me in private. There had been a Christmas party on Friday night that my son had chosed not to attend, I figured that was what he wanted to ask me about. Well, that and more. He told me that when he came to the church he had issues that we making him feel shame, embarassment ..... and people had reached out to him. No one had passed judgement and that the people there were caring and there for my family.. We only joined the church this past summer, although we knew many people in the congregation prior to our joining. Anyway he said that he wanted to help us out and had money in his hand to help out with Christmas gifts. I was truly embarassed. I have a great job, we live in a nice home, have a car to drive and food on the table. But truth be told. with my husband not having worked for 6 months and uncovered medical bills the financial hole is certainly growing. I was just going to charge the gifts and deal with it later. Not a healthy choice but I really did not care. You are never going to believe this. He gave me 400 dollars!!!. I do not even know this man, except for seeing him at services, events etc. I thought about it and realized that this had to be my higher power at work. Now I can buy them gifts, and some of the other family members as well and despite all that is going on my children will not be disappointed on Christmas morning. Yeah, the rest still sucks, but they feel the pain every moment of every day. For that morning they will be able to feel like the life they once had is still here. After he gave me the money he asked if I would pray with him, this meant more to me than the money. People care, God is an amazing power and I am blessed.

(((Confused)))

What a blessing! I am glad your children will have Christmas.  Even more important, I now know how it is to have friends that don't judge you, thanks to my time here.  I wish you Happy Holiday wishes.  May this year be a better year and may all of your prayers happen for you and your family.

My A at her job had an old man come in, she's told he is one of the regs.

He said he only had a few months to live and he had some money to get rid of.  He siad that he was looking for a family that was not going to have a xmas and he wanted to treat the.  Buy them all the presents, take them to or provide dinner.  His only stipulation was that he wanted to be there when they opened their presents and attend dinner with them.

He approached the church and they wanted him to provide finger prints and ID information so that they could provide a background check.  He was terribly offended by this.  So he has resorted to asking around.  I having ground up volunteering around youth in today's age am used to this.  This gentleman is of a different era and I can understand his frustrations.

I do have a family of an A in mind, if they are interested as their A is in the midst of a binge / mental illness episode and has taken off on them.   I heard there is also a family in town who lost everything, including their presents in a fire and I hear they are uninsured.

I hope this gentleman finds a family to help, and can also bring this last peace and joy to his heart before he passes on.  What a way to go huh?  I only wish I could be in a position to help someone on the edge of my being here.

Thanks for sharing this story confused.

Bob

((((Confused))))

That is so awesome!! HP seems to work in our lives in ways that we never expect.  I think unexpected gifts are the best, because we can really appreciate them.  Have a great Christmas with your kids, I know they'll be so happy to have their presents.

Twinmom~

((((confused)))) thanks so much for sharing that!

Dear confused,

And what a beautiful gift Hp has give you to recognize the angel when you met him!!! To me that is worth more than the gift itself. Cause when I recognize "the angels" in my life, I recognize what I have worked so hard to find in me. The beauty I see in other people is a reflection of my change in attitude. A wonderful gift that I wasn't able to see prior to recovery. Thanks for the wonderful story confused, Love in recovery, SenoraBob.

((((((((((Confused)))))))))))),

Oh wow, you are right about the angel part. I to think your HP was at work there. I am glad that you were given the help that you needed. I am praying for you as well.

Much Love,

Wow!  I read so few posts these days...  I just came out of my therapy session & this is one of the things I mentioned to my (wonderful/Angelic) therapist.

There are givers, takers & healers in this world.  Trying to give a giver a present is such a hard thing for the one trying to give & for the giver "trying" to receive.

I am happy & proud of you for taking the gift.  I believe everything is from God - good, bad, ugly, beautiful...  our lives are about the contrasts & learning to come to terms with the lessons of love God provides us each & every new moment.

When I was a kid, I used to make my mom's cards & gifts for her, she said they meant more to her than anything whether it was food or a pedicure, she always liked that "special touch".  I think this year I might be writing some poetry for my parents, not sure.

I am so glad you accepted the gift ~ thanks for sharing your story with us.

-Love, -Kitty 

(((Confused))))

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am so glad you have received some help to get through the holidays. You are so right. It can't fix everything, but I can't think of anything more wonderful than the smiles of children on Christmas morning.

God bless you and your family and your angel.

                          love Jeannie