Day 295

Hello,

I forgot to mention that I started another blog. It is called "Occipital Adventures" and can be accessed by the text link. In short, it is blog with a daily picture taken by myself to improve my photography skills. It is just a hobby but I feel like I need one that isn't as fattening as my baking adventures. No worries to my Dad, Danny and Eren.....tricia treats will still be cultivated! :)

I noticed I forgot to mention how blessed our holiday season was this year. We were faced with a choice, we could use our money to get one another gifts or we could spend that money on others. In keeping with the Christmas spirit we decided that we would rather spoil others than ourselves. We still weren't able to do much but I put my heart into several homemade Christmas gifts. 

Our charlie brown Christmas tree
it couldn't even hold ornaments! 

Truthfully I did not get into the Christmas spirit until I was blown away by the kindness of others. Let me explain. I get the opportunity to work with children everyday at a before and after school program. I get to teach them and in turn, I am taught by them. This is the reason why I love my job. However, there are some aspects I don't love. For example, the particular schools I work for have a larger ratio of low income families. This means I work with several single moms and dads or grandma's and grandpa's who are trying to do what they can for these children. 

Anyway, at the beginning of the school year we had a little girl start attending and from the moment she began she became one of our own. I don't feel comfortable posting much about the story, as the history is not mine to tell. I will say it is a situation that i find heartbreaking and she is raised by her single dad. As well all know, raising a child is hard enough, but the men and women who do it without direct support are incredible. 

One night, in a venting way I explained to my mom the heartbreak I have for all my families during the trying holiday season, especially "Rose". Being a women of action, my mom set out to do what she could to help. At a holiday poker party she told some friends about what her plans were to help this little family. Before the night was over they all wanted in. I made estimates for sizes and ideal gifts for "Rose" and her dad and they were off. 

I wanted to clear this with Dad first because I was feeling uneasy. I didn't want him to feel offended or step on any toes. I waited for him to drop off and quietly asked if this donation would be a problem. "Rose" must have heard me say something about gifts because she very softly approached me and placed her hand on my back then in the most sure way a child could explain she said "miss tricia, it really isnt about the presents."

From that moment on, my insecurities were eased. My mom and her friends raised over $500 in toys, clothes and gift certificates for "rose" and her dad. This was done in a few days. Not only did they put in their money but all the gifts were selected by the donaters, which means they invested time and thought into this family. 

On the day the exchange was going to take place I was so excited. To the point where I was pacing. I had not seen the presents only pictures of them. "Rose" did not know what was going on, she was blind to it all. Dad showed up very close to closing and I promptly called my mom to arrive. When all the gifts were transferred into their car I glanced out the window to see this man embrace my mom with astonishment. From what she told me he kept asking her "is this the last of them" after each bag full of gifts was moved, to which she promptly responded "no, there is still more." 

I haven't seen this family since Christmas, as the kids are still on winter break. I am excited to talk to "Rose" and find out what she has to say. Isn't this amazing? In a matter of days these people were able to give their hard earned money to others who could really use it. I know this child and in my mind I can imagine her excitement to receive such gifts and to me that was the best gift of all. My grinchy heart grew 3 sizes that day and I am thankful to all those who helped out. 

I want to give a special thanks to my mom for organizing it all. She took my worries about a family and turned it around with her (and her friends generosity).  All she would talk about for those days was what she was getting "Rose." This was just one of the four families my mom supported for Christmas this year. What a great lesson she taught my sister and I. I am proud of my mom and all of the people who help when and where they can.  I would like to share some quotes from my own personal hero's that I find so incredibly relevant to this story along with some random photos from this holiday season! 

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

—	Mother Teresa

“And, in the end 
The love you take 
is equal to the love you make.”

—	Paul McCartney

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

—	Dalai Lama

“Make love, take love, but you should give love. And try to live love.”

—	George Harrison

Our mantle all lit up

Black tree 

Table we have been wanting for a long time
 along with the wall art a couple cousins got us! 

Wreath my mom made for us

Wreath I made for Danny's sister Angela, we eventually
got a monogrammed ornament for their family. 

Wreath I made for Danny's mom

Bottle of wine I decorated for Danny's
Dad and step mom

Wreath I made for Tona, the ornament in the middle says
joy to the world!