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We invite you to remember your loved ones who have died by committing an act of kindness in their honor. Love, kindness, generosity, sharing, these are the gifts we can give to them.

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Second Day of Winter, Friday Evening, December 23


Today I am sitting in an urgent care office because I slammed my hand in a table yesterday and need an X-ray. A mom, grandma and their almost three year old just came in because the little girl took apart a hair bow with jingle bells on it. She shoved one up each nostril and one in each ear. They got all of them out but one in her nostril. Mom is SO worried I just went up to the desk and asked them to let her go in before me. As I did this I thought "They are going to get this jingle bell out QUICKLY in Theo's name." You can't make this stuff up. :-) There's always a Theo opportunity!
---Michelle Beaubien Witte


 In the grand scheme of things my random act of kindness is miniscule but a good deed nonetheless.
            Today in my travels home I encountered a mother with child on one of my flights who was in need of an aisle seat. I gladly offered her mine in trade for her seat. 
            I would have done this any day and not have mentioned it, but I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and respond to your email. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher. I can only hope that I encounter more teachers like you in my endeavors at VCU as well as my professional career. Merry Christmas to you and Yours,
 ---Jon Murphy 


We decided to give a homeless man we see every day by our house a gift. My son and I picked out hats, gloves, toiletries and a lunch.
Thank you for reminding us of what's important!
---Sommer Humphries


After reading your email I looked for some opportunities- what a beautiful idea!
So- I put change in the meters of some cars near MCV while I was there
And- I decided that I am waiving a session fee for a private practice client who is struggling financially.
---Camille Adams


 I just donated some money to Kiva.org to support a lady in Peru in her grocery business in Theo’s name.  Since we traveled in Peru this year, it was near and dear to my heart. 
One special story that I have been meaning to tell you… Adam and I were in Austin, Texas in September at the Austin City Limits Music Festival and at our first artist’s show, Brandi Carlile.  She started playing the cover song “Forever Young” and it was this quiet, special moment with just her voice and the piano.  I got the chills and was thinking about all of our loved ones that we have lost too young and right in my field of view of the stage was a beautiful dragonfly.  It was so magical! I just gave him a wink and big smile and said “Thank you Theo!!” That was the only dragonfly I saw all weekend long…amazing!!
            I am always sending love your way.  I hope that you all have a great holiday season, whatever that means for you and I look forward to catching up soon!!
----Anna (Madland) Bender


In memory and honor of all those passed on that I will miss at the holidays..I got two $50.00 gift cards and delivered them to two of our students..one family is living in a motel (with six children) and mom has medical issues.
--- Debra Gibson-Davenport


What a wonderful way to remember your precious son!
We gave $300.00 to a single Mother, who is legally blind with four children for clothes.
We took food for Christmas dinner to Miss Essie. She feeds 20 to 30 elderly in public housing that wouldn't have a meal except for her.
May you be richly blessed this Christmas season!
 ---Anonymous  


Today I left a candy cane on the dash of my brother's car with a note that said "Merry Christmas."
     Merry Christmas to you and your family as well, and thank you for including me in your email list.
---Lydia Armstrong


From Oxfam America Unwrapped, we bought two school uniforms in honor of Thelonius Fueglein. This means that two children in need will always have clean clothes for school. Proceeds from Oxfam America go to efforts to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. 
---Frank Green and Sally Campbell


Hi Karla, here is my contribution to Theo's Stocking. I organized and made Thanksgiving Dinner for my neighbors. Debra, the mom, has cancer and was not able to make dinner for the family. I did this for Theo, my own mom, and for all those fighting the evil of cancer.
---Carol Schall


We went caroling last night (but because of my voice) this may not be a kind act. My son and I also helped a woman whose car was out of gas. I try to do kind things everyday--as I know you do also.
---Michele Young-Stone


It's just a small thing, but my husband and I spent last evening baking Christmas cookies and having dinner (we took soup and wine) with some friends who just learned that the husband has cancer. They are struggling to maintain some sense of normality this holiday season and I hope that our presence  helped them to enjoy a few moments of the holiday season and to forget their troubles for just a while.
---Lynn Pelco