The Tiny Magical Miracles Everywhere

“I hate to say it, but the way it seems is that no one is fine. Take time to peel back a few layers and you will find true sadness.” So say the Avett Brothers. Sounds better in 4-part harmony, but you get the point.

Christmas is hard. There. I said it. Most of us are trying to please too many people or live up to unrealistic standards of joy and giving. In a society of constant information and feedback, our brains are on overload trying to process it all. Let’s be honest. It’s overwhelming.

Even the most outwardly “put together” people have struggles. Take me for example. I’m married to my high school sweetheart. We have two perfect kids. We own a business. We’re photogenic to a fault. Reality? Everyday I’m struggling physically & financially to stay alive after a near death illness five years ago.

"This Christmas has been harder than expected. As recently as Tuesday I was wondering if I can skip Christmas.  I’m grieving some close personal losses and my never ending medical expenses have strained my heart and wallet. I wanted to be able to help a grieving family this year, but I saw no way I could help a mourning family plus have the funds for my own Christmas. So I did what I do best. Complain.

I reached out to a couple girlfriends and let them know my existential misery was surely worse than any ever suffered. I whined about every petty thing disrupting my perfect existence. Getting it out made me feel some better. Misery might not love company, but telling others about your misery is calming. Selfish, but calming.

Within a few hours one of the kindest, most generous friends i have showed up at my business with gifts for the family in mourning. What makes this extra special? She’s never met these people. I was hurting for them so she was too. Double extra special? My friend has had a horrible year. One of her children was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness & the battle has been hard. Yet she saw the suffering of another and stepped up with abundance.

Really this was enough to taper my grinchiness, but an hour later a customer came into my business and made a purchase exactly the amount i needed to fund my own Christmas. God? Fate? Miracle? Magic? Needless to say, my heart grew three sizes.

These events might seem insignificant to those who are greatly suffering, but let it offer you hope. Tiny magical miracles are everywhere. We just have to open our hearts to see.

Love, S 

Kindnesses this Christmas

Theo,

This year I decided, in memory of you, to volunteer with an organization that helps to settle refugees coming from other countries into the U.S. I signed up to read to children and give out children’s books at a resources fair for refugee families. I started the day in the reading room, helping children pick out books, but was quickly called in to serve as backup for the overwhelmed face painter. The line seemed never to shrink during the four hours I was there. One after another, I placed the tip of my brush to the faces of children of all ages, some of whom spoke no English. I touched their foreheads to move the hair from their eyes. Their little bodies were pressed up close all around me as I worked, painting the images of Batman, Spiderman, flowers, unicorns, and American flags—images selected by the kids. What an honor it was, to make a first impression on these families as they entered our country, to look into these innocent little faces and welcome them here. Thank you for inspiring me to open myself up to this experience.

Becky Boncal

Hello to you sweet Karla! I have a couple of stories of RAOK in the spirit of our children gone....I have donated 20 pair of shoes to children in a village in Tanzania for Christmas. Many of them have infected feet due to not having shoes. One pair for every year Samantha was here. It was her burning desire to travel to Africa, she never had the chance....on Christmas Day I will be making and delivering 100 turkey sandwiches to the homeless, in memory of my sweet son Ryan. I'm also collecting scarves gloves and hats for those who are in need. Stories for Theos stocking...please make it anonymous

Sending love.....

In loving memory of Samantha and Ryan 

Dear Friends, 

Our Act of Kindness this year was a cash donation for an outreach effort organized by friends and family members of some families in Puerto Rico. The organizers live in Florida and have been able to utilize a structured supply chain to restaurants and small businesses in Puerto Rico to get the relief items directly to some people in dire need. We love you guys and are thinking of you all!

Love, Pam and Annie