From Stan:
I did do something, and though it did involve money, I think it was important and the right thing to do. For the past few weeks I have been reading almost daily in our local newspaper how food banks are in dire need of food to give to people requiring help. So on Monday, Dec. 22nd, I went to Sam's Club and bought $275 worth of food (flour, rice, pasta, canned meats, sugar, coffee, etc.) and delivered it to Martha for The Homeless. Martha is an elderly African-American woman who has been running a food bank out of her garage for several years - with the blessing of the City and State. I had called her the week before to see what she might need - and she gave me a list (long) of basic items. Well . . . I did the best I could and I know it was a help.
I decided that I really, really don't need to load up friends and neighbors with more material goods, not when there are people hungry for the basics. I also don't really need another sweater - a book, maybe, but sweaters and gadgets - no. It felt good to do this and next week I plan on going through our pantry and freezer and making another donation. I did not take a tax form from her - I don't itemize anyway - and this is not something I would deduct. It is NOT charity - it is concern for those around me who have a need I can do a little bit to assuage.
When you really get down to it, all we have is each other. Merry Christmas to ALL.
From Jessica G:
I had the chance to see something very beautiful a few days ago while out shopping for those last few gifts for Christmas this year. My dad and I were in the car on our way to Target. Traffic was ridiculous. All of a sudden, a truck broke down several cars in front of us and had the intersection completely blocked. I expected to hear a chorus of honking horns and angry shouts from the busy shoppers rushing to finish their errands, but instead, people came from all kinds of cars to help this elderly gentleman push his truck out of the intersection, into a gas station parking lot to get repaired. Even a homeless gentleman, sitting with a sign on the street corner, jumped up and ran to help out. It was a magical moment. It really exemplified the true Spirit of Christmas.
I pray you and your beautiful family have a wonderful Christmas with many more to come! Thank you very much for including me in your wonderful tradition! I know Theo's watching.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
~Merry and Peaceful Christmas Morning~
From Gemma:
My little act was something for my form group, 9 Fleet, at the inner city London secondary school where I work. They are generally quite difficult and pretty hard to handle as a group. I often have weary teachers knocking at my office door sharing tales of horror about what 9 Fleet did next! As a result I tend to shy away from events with them, nervous how they may behave. This year, however, I decided to throw them a Christmas Party dedicated to Theo. We had a great time. One of my main aims was to ensure that one particular student, who is often excluded and unpopular in the class, would be involved and stay for the whole party...and he did! I made a conscious effort to give him special responsibilities and have a chat. All the kids brought in something to share.....homemade cookies, Bangladeshi rice, Greek cookies and Pringles galore!
At the end of the party I made a little speech about what a great class 9 Fleet can be and that they all deserved a pat on the back. It was lovely and in our final assembly (straight after our sugar fueled party!) they were a real credit to themselves. Ultimately, it reminded me that whilst they drive me insane they are a fabulous bunch, all special in their own ways! The highlight of the party was a class song to the tune of Jingle Bells. Highly amusing. The lyrics escape me, but we all had a good laugh! I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family.
All my love
Gemma D.
From Tadashi:
This Christmas I am committed to doing something I've never done before: I am going to make Christmas dinner for my family. When I'm living in Richmond and making my own meals my diet usually consists of cereal, canned tuna, deli-meat sandwiches and Shafer. Not exactly Christmas appropriate. I'm not sure if I am going to be capable of preparing the feast I have planned for tomorrow, but I'll definitely try my best.
I hope it turns out okay, but if it is a total disaster I assure you it was intended to be an act of kindness!
Merry Christmas guys, I hope you have a great one.
Tadashi
From Laura:
I think your idea for Theo is absolutely wonderful and I'm so happy to participate!
This year, I did something nice for my mom. Every year she spends hours and hours decorating the house, inside and out. She string the lights on the tree (her least favorite thing to do) and she puts up all the ornaments with little to no help. She makes the outside of our house look beautifully lit up, and makes sure to get the right gifts for everyone. What she is most proud of, however, is the small and often unnoticed decorations that are all over the inside. She hangs ornaments on our staircase and lets red ribbon cascade downwards beneath them. She sets up tiny nativity scenes in random places. She gets all the teddy bears (including my old beanie babies) from around the house in an arrangement near the presents under the tree. She sets up a winter scene including ribbons, candles and pine cones along our mantlepiece, and uses old christmas crafts made by my brother and I when we were little. My mom takes so much pride in the decorations to our house, so this year I decided to acknowledge them. I let her take me all around the house and show me every little thing she put up. Part of the time I was bored, but part of the time I was delighted, especially to see the crafts I had made when I was too young to remember and when Christmas was the most exciting thing to happen in my life. I was also very delighted to see how happy it made my mom for one person in the house to sit by our tree on Christmas eve and just look at it, just simply enjoy it. She just wants other people to enjoy the Christmas decorations, so this year I did. I decided not to just walk past them.
Consider my acknowledgment of my old pasta shell candle holders and glitter picture frames made in preschool an acknowledgement of Theo Fueglein. An acknowledgement of how lucky I am to have been able to make all those things as a kid and an acknowledgement of how much I wish he was able to make them too.
Have a very Merry Christmas Fueglein family, I hope Theo gets many stocking letters this year!
-Laura
From Minh:
To the Fueglein family,
I know it is Christmas already but I still wanted to have the chance to share my good deed. It has taken along time for me to do something or even think of something good enough to write on a blog. Each day I would try and figure out what I was able to do to help someone, however, I felt like nothing was good enough. I wanted so badly to do something extraordinary to make a difference but it was much more difficult then I thought it was going to be. I finally realized I have been thinking to hard about it.
So I looked back on things I have done and there it was. Every Thursday around 4:00, I volunteer at the MCV hospital, in the pediatric emergency room. Being only a volunteer I wasn’t able to have as much hands on help as I had hoped to. My job was to give out books to the children while they were waiting or just simply organizing and filling the book shelves with new books. I felt it was a waste of time since I thought I didn’t have any effect on the children. But once seeing the happiness in them when receiving something as small as a book I feel relief and a feeling that I have done so much more than just read a children’s book. When reading a kid one of my favorite book as a child I can see the interest in their facial expressions. I can’t really explain the feeling but I like being able to interact with the kids and getting their mind off their illness. I am glad I have the opportunity of being able to volunteer in an environment such as the MCV hospital.
This is my good deed that I felt was good enough to be written down.
I hope the best wishes to you family!
Happy Holidays :)
--Minh
From Ms. Sharma:
Dear Mrs. and Mr. Fueglein,
In the honor of baby Theo, I would like to say that it was a brilliant idea to design a blog for him. I feel it’s great that every dear one and friends that you know will be able to convey his or her regards for baby Theo. As a friend I would like convey my warmest regards and share the good deed I have during Christmas.
I volunteer at St Mary’s and throughout my volunteer experience I have realized a lot of things. One of the things I have felt or deeply realized is that not many people, whom we come across throughout the day, can celebrate Christmas as happily as we imagine everybody to celebrate. There are so many patients in this hospital who cannot be home with their loved ones during Christmas.
It is great to discharge patients right before Christmas and give them the chance to be with their dear ones and share happy moments together. As volunteer when I see a patient get discharged, or when new mothers go home with their new born baby, I feel as if a miracle has happened; a miracle in the sense that they were lucky to be home during Christmas.
I sincerely hope that this would make you all and baby Theo happy. Christmas is mostly about doing good things for others, and I wish I did something good during this Christmas.
I wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
My little act was something for my form group, 9 Fleet, at the inner city London secondary school where I work. They are generally quite difficult and pretty hard to handle as a group. I often have weary teachers knocking at my office door sharing tales of horror about what 9 Fleet did next! As a result I tend to shy away from events with them, nervous how they may behave. This year, however, I decided to throw them a Christmas Party dedicated to Theo. We had a great time. One of my main aims was to ensure that one particular student, who is often excluded and unpopular in the class, would be involved and stay for the whole party...and he did! I made a conscious effort to give him special responsibilities and have a chat. All the kids brought in something to share.....homemade cookies, Bangladeshi rice, Greek cookies and Pringles galore!
At the end of the party I made a little speech about what a great class 9 Fleet can be and that they all deserved a pat on the back. It was lovely and in our final assembly (straight after our sugar fueled party!) they were a real credit to themselves. Ultimately, it reminded me that whilst they drive me insane they are a fabulous bunch, all special in their own ways! The highlight of the party was a class song to the tune of Jingle Bells. Highly amusing. The lyrics escape me, but we all had a good laugh! I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family.
All my love
Gemma D.
From Tadashi:
This Christmas I am committed to doing something I've never done before: I am going to make Christmas dinner for my family. When I'm living in Richmond and making my own meals my diet usually consists of cereal, canned tuna, deli-meat sandwiches and Shafer. Not exactly Christmas appropriate. I'm not sure if I am going to be capable of preparing the feast I have planned for tomorrow, but I'll definitely try my best.
I hope it turns out okay, but if it is a total disaster I assure you it was intended to be an act of kindness!
Merry Christmas guys, I hope you have a great one.
Tadashi
From Laura:
I think your idea for Theo is absolutely wonderful and I'm so happy to participate!
This year, I did something nice for my mom. Every year she spends hours and hours decorating the house, inside and out. She string the lights on the tree (her least favorite thing to do) and she puts up all the ornaments with little to no help. She makes the outside of our house look beautifully lit up, and makes sure to get the right gifts for everyone. What she is most proud of, however, is the small and often unnoticed decorations that are all over the inside. She hangs ornaments on our staircase and lets red ribbon cascade downwards beneath them. She sets up tiny nativity scenes in random places. She gets all the teddy bears (including my old beanie babies) from around the house in an arrangement near the presents under the tree. She sets up a winter scene including ribbons, candles and pine cones along our mantlepiece, and uses old christmas crafts made by my brother and I when we were little. My mom takes so much pride in the decorations to our house, so this year I decided to acknowledge them. I let her take me all around the house and show me every little thing she put up. Part of the time I was bored, but part of the time I was delighted, especially to see the crafts I had made when I was too young to remember and when Christmas was the most exciting thing to happen in my life. I was also very delighted to see how happy it made my mom for one person in the house to sit by our tree on Christmas eve and just look at it, just simply enjoy it. She just wants other people to enjoy the Christmas decorations, so this year I did. I decided not to just walk past them.
Consider my acknowledgment of my old pasta shell candle holders and glitter picture frames made in preschool an acknowledgement of Theo Fueglein. An acknowledgement of how lucky I am to have been able to make all those things as a kid and an acknowledgement of how much I wish he was able to make them too.
Have a very Merry Christmas Fueglein family, I hope Theo gets many stocking letters this year!
-Laura
From Minh:
To the Fueglein family,
I know it is Christmas already but I still wanted to have the chance to share my good deed. It has taken along time for me to do something or even think of something good enough to write on a blog. Each day I would try and figure out what I was able to do to help someone, however, I felt like nothing was good enough. I wanted so badly to do something extraordinary to make a difference but it was much more difficult then I thought it was going to be. I finally realized I have been thinking to hard about it.
So I looked back on things I have done and there it was. Every Thursday around 4:00, I volunteer at the MCV hospital, in the pediatric emergency room. Being only a volunteer I wasn’t able to have as much hands on help as I had hoped to. My job was to give out books to the children while they were waiting or just simply organizing and filling the book shelves with new books. I felt it was a waste of time since I thought I didn’t have any effect on the children. But once seeing the happiness in them when receiving something as small as a book I feel relief and a feeling that I have done so much more than just read a children’s book. When reading a kid one of my favorite book as a child I can see the interest in their facial expressions. I can’t really explain the feeling but I like being able to interact with the kids and getting their mind off their illness. I am glad I have the opportunity of being able to volunteer in an environment such as the MCV hospital.
This is my good deed that I felt was good enough to be written down.
I hope the best wishes to you family!
Happy Holidays :)
--Minh
From Ms. Sharma:
Dear Mrs. and Mr. Fueglein,
In the honor of baby Theo, I would like to say that it was a brilliant idea to design a blog for him. I feel it’s great that every dear one and friends that you know will be able to convey his or her regards for baby Theo. As a friend I would like convey my warmest regards and share the good deed I have during Christmas.
I volunteer at St Mary’s and throughout my volunteer experience I have realized a lot of things. One of the things I have felt or deeply realized is that not many people, whom we come across throughout the day, can celebrate Christmas as happily as we imagine everybody to celebrate. There are so many patients in this hospital who cannot be home with their loved ones during Christmas.
It is great to discharge patients right before Christmas and give them the chance to be with their dear ones and share happy moments together. As volunteer when I see a patient get discharged, or when new mothers go home with their new born baby, I feel as if a miracle has happened; a miracle in the sense that they were lucky to be home during Christmas.
I sincerely hope that this would make you all and baby Theo happy. Christmas is mostly about doing good things for others, and I wish I did something good during this Christmas.
I wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Kindnesses for Christmas Eve
From Liz:
Hey there favorite family!
Since you started this tradition I have been conscious of random acts of kindness; this notion has become part of everyday life. Thank you for that. Theo's picture is still on my fireplace and I visit him often.
Today I raked leaves in our lawn and swept the walk. While I was at it, I did my neighbors' walks too. The exercise was good in the cold and now my one neighbor who has arthritis doesn't have to worry about it. That makes me happy. Your family makes me happy too.
Sending much love,
xoxoxoxo
liz
From Evy:
Hey Mr. F,
I had just bought a scarf from the store for myself for winter and as I was walking to get back on the metro I saw a man who was cold and very pale and had on these ripped pants and a worn out jacket with holes in his gloves. He was laying down with a pepsi cup next to him that had a couple of coins in it. So I walked over, took my scarf off, and gave it to him. He was so grateful for it.
I hope you that you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Mr. F.
Sincerely,
Evy G.
From Pam and Dawn:
Jamie, Karla, & Lula,
I have been a witness to so many acts of kindness this season, and I always think of Little Theo. There is so much need in the world around us it seems overwhelming to figure out how to help sometimes.
I have a coworker who is a very dear friend of mine. Her 24 year old son has a condition called TTP, and she found out right before Thanksgiving that his kidneys have failed and that he will be a dailysis patient indefinitely. He lives in Memphis with his girlfriend and 4 month old baby boy. My friend really wanted to spend some time with her son and grandson over the Thanksgiving holiday, but finances were very tight and I could see that she was worrying about how to fund the trip.
The day before she was supposed to leave, I decided to ask a few of my co-workers if they'd like to chip in to help out with her gas money. Word began to spread around and people from all over our department started approaching me and contributing. In a little less than an hour, I had collected enough money to cover all of her travel expenses and her hotel room while she was in Memphis. I was so moved by the outpouring of concern and that people really wanted to make sure she was able to make this trip. When I gave her the envelope, she tearfully shared with me that she had been very troubled about how she was going to come up with the money to make the trip. She, her mother, and her younger son were able to spend 4 days with her son and his new family in Memphis and she was able to meet her grandson for the first time. She even had enough left over to purchase some items for the baby.
Dawn and I also participated in adopt a needy family again this year and will be making a donation to Noah's Children in honor of Theo.
Happy Holidays- we love you.
Pam and Dawn
From Andrea, Charles and Isabelle:
We love the idea of Theo's Christmas Stocking, what a wonderful tribute to your amazing boy. We decided to give a gift to our local animal shelter. We packed up a box of supplies for the animals in need. Since we lost 2 cats this year we had some extra things around the house, like toys and a lambswool blanket. Then we went to the store to buy cat & dog food and some other needed supplies. I donated this to the Richmond Animal League, and they were so appreciative. We also made a monetary donation. There are so many homeless cats & dogs in need of homes, especially now with the economy being so bad and donations being down.
Thank you for reminding us what is really important in life and inspiring others through Theo to make the world a better place.
Love,
Andrea, Charles, & Isabelle
From Helen Ruth:
Merry Christmas, Jamie, Karla and Lula,
Ah, so many common names here. My sister is Carla and my grandmother was Lula! AND Jamie is my beloved colleague! How much closer can I get to your family?
I confess, I don’t have any magnificent random acts to report but I do want to let you know that I applied for and received a grant from the United Methodist Thrift Shop Foundation in Durango, Colorado. The grant is now on its way to Southern Sudan where it will be used to build a shelter for some Sudanese Orphans who sell their crafts in the local market of the Kakuma Refugee camp. Instead of sitting out on the dusty streets, they will now have a nice shelter to house their items and to protect them from the elements. I probably won’t ever meet these children but maybe their young lives will be improved by this assistance.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.
Love,
Helen Ruth
Hey there favorite family!
Since you started this tradition I have been conscious of random acts of kindness; this notion has become part of everyday life. Thank you for that. Theo's picture is still on my fireplace and I visit him often.
Today I raked leaves in our lawn and swept the walk. While I was at it, I did my neighbors' walks too. The exercise was good in the cold and now my one neighbor who has arthritis doesn't have to worry about it. That makes me happy. Your family makes me happy too.
Sending much love,
xoxoxoxo
liz
From Evy:
Hey Mr. F,
I had just bought a scarf from the store for myself for winter and as I was walking to get back on the metro I saw a man who was cold and very pale and had on these ripped pants and a worn out jacket with holes in his gloves. He was laying down with a pepsi cup next to him that had a couple of coins in it. So I walked over, took my scarf off, and gave it to him. He was so grateful for it.
I hope you that you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Mr. F.
Sincerely,
Evy G.
From Pam and Dawn:
Jamie, Karla, & Lula,
I have been a witness to so many acts of kindness this season, and I always think of Little Theo. There is so much need in the world around us it seems overwhelming to figure out how to help sometimes.
I have a coworker who is a very dear friend of mine. Her 24 year old son has a condition called TTP, and she found out right before Thanksgiving that his kidneys have failed and that he will be a dailysis patient indefinitely. He lives in Memphis with his girlfriend and 4 month old baby boy. My friend really wanted to spend some time with her son and grandson over the Thanksgiving holiday, but finances were very tight and I could see that she was worrying about how to fund the trip.
The day before she was supposed to leave, I decided to ask a few of my co-workers if they'd like to chip in to help out with her gas money. Word began to spread around and people from all over our department started approaching me and contributing. In a little less than an hour, I had collected enough money to cover all of her travel expenses and her hotel room while she was in Memphis. I was so moved by the outpouring of concern and that people really wanted to make sure she was able to make this trip. When I gave her the envelope, she tearfully shared with me that she had been very troubled about how she was going to come up with the money to make the trip. She, her mother, and her younger son were able to spend 4 days with her son and his new family in Memphis and she was able to meet her grandson for the first time. She even had enough left over to purchase some items for the baby.
Dawn and I also participated in adopt a needy family again this year and will be making a donation to Noah's Children in honor of Theo.
Happy Holidays- we love you.
Pam and Dawn
From Andrea, Charles and Isabelle:
We love the idea of Theo's Christmas Stocking, what a wonderful tribute to your amazing boy. We decided to give a gift to our local animal shelter. We packed up a box of supplies for the animals in need. Since we lost 2 cats this year we had some extra things around the house, like toys and a lambswool blanket. Then we went to the store to buy cat & dog food and some other needed supplies. I donated this to the Richmond Animal League, and they were so appreciative. We also made a monetary donation. There are so many homeless cats & dogs in need of homes, especially now with the economy being so bad and donations being down.
Thank you for reminding us what is really important in life and inspiring others through Theo to make the world a better place.
Love,
Andrea, Charles, & Isabelle
From Helen Ruth:
Merry Christmas, Jamie, Karla and Lula,
Ah, so many common names here. My sister is Carla and my grandmother was Lula! AND Jamie is my beloved colleague! How much closer can I get to your family?
I confess, I don’t have any magnificent random acts to report but I do want to let you know that I applied for and received a grant from the United Methodist Thrift Shop Foundation in Durango, Colorado. The grant is now on its way to Southern Sudan where it will be used to build a shelter for some Sudanese Orphans who sell their crafts in the local market of the Kakuma Refugee camp. Instead of sitting out on the dusty streets, they will now have a nice shelter to house their items and to protect them from the elements. I probably won’t ever meet these children but maybe their young lives will be improved by this assistance.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.
Love,
Helen Ruth
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Still More...
I was wrapping up my Christmas shopping today, and when I went to check out the lady at the counter asked me if I wanted to donate a book to this Children's charity. I immediately thought of this, and took the opportunity. I was kind of excited about choosing the book, but it turns out that I just donated them some money and they choose the books, I guess. Hopefully they'll pick something good.
Merry Christmas
Tom
Dear Family,
While this is a small gesture, I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about the love you must still feel for the little one you lost. I lost my father almost 10 years ago (as of December 27, 2008), who was known for helping others. This act is so simple, yet so many times we can forget to allow it to work its magic. Today, I was in my car in a long line of cars waiting to mail Christmas cards. There was a small car that needed to get out of the parking lot, but could not reverse with the long line of cars that seemed to pass in such a rush. Seeing the small car, and thinking of your request, I waved the driver out so she could leave and allow another to park at the busy post office. Feeling proud, I wondered what else I could do as a random act of kindness.
But the kindness didn't stop there... just a short few moments later, as I finally pulled up to mail my cards, I saw something so heart warming. Out of the corner of my eye, that same driver in the small car was waving her hands to allow another driver to get in front of her so they could also leave that post office parking lot.
While these are such small gestures, it is clear, kindness is contagious. My hope is that my family will also commit to random acts of kindness.
After all, in our hearts, we have the potential to become weapons of mass affection.
Adele
Merry Christmas
Tom
Dear Family,
While this is a small gesture, I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about the love you must still feel for the little one you lost. I lost my father almost 10 years ago (as of December 27, 2008), who was known for helping others. This act is so simple, yet so many times we can forget to allow it to work its magic. Today, I was in my car in a long line of cars waiting to mail Christmas cards. There was a small car that needed to get out of the parking lot, but could not reverse with the long line of cars that seemed to pass in such a rush. Seeing the small car, and thinking of your request, I waved the driver out so she could leave and allow another to park at the busy post office. Feeling proud, I wondered what else I could do as a random act of kindness.
But the kindness didn't stop there... just a short few moments later, as I finally pulled up to mail my cards, I saw something so heart warming. Out of the corner of my eye, that same driver in the small car was waving her hands to allow another driver to get in front of her so they could also leave that post office parking lot.
While these are such small gestures, it is clear, kindness is contagious. My hope is that my family will also commit to random acts of kindness.
After all, in our hearts, we have the potential to become weapons of mass affection.
Adele
Monday, December 22, 2008
More Acts Of Kindness
I sent a Holiday card to a man that lives alone in our neighborhood and does not have many friends or family. I hope that it brightens his day to know that a neighbor was thinking of him...
Another act of kindness was that together with friends we collected money to purchase gifts for a family so that they would have Christmas presents underneath their tree this year. They were very grateful and it was a gift to us to see how happy they were.
I will continue to spread the holiday cheer and kindness throughout the year in memory of your sweet son. Thank you for inspiring so many people to share love and support to one another.
..............................................................................................
This year my Husband and I will be cooking a full Christmas dinner for a local family we have come to know quite well. Last year this family lost their home to a house fire due to bad wiring and we found them a temporary place to stay while they found alternate housing. The local lady runs the town dump and her boyfriend is a local repair man and has worked on numerous houses of family and friends. When we found out this year that they were still struggling, we decided to volunteer to cook and deliver a ham and turkey with two pies, 5 sides and enough frozen meat to last an extra month in case of hard times during the rest of the year. We hope that through this effort we can make their holiday a little better, and perhaps the world a better place.
Amy and Victor
Another act of kindness was that together with friends we collected money to purchase gifts for a family so that they would have Christmas presents underneath their tree this year. They were very grateful and it was a gift to us to see how happy they were.
I will continue to spread the holiday cheer and kindness throughout the year in memory of your sweet son. Thank you for inspiring so many people to share love and support to one another.
..............................................................................................
This year my Husband and I will be cooking a full Christmas dinner for a local family we have come to know quite well. Last year this family lost their home to a house fire due to bad wiring and we found them a temporary place to stay while they found alternate housing. The local lady runs the town dump and her boyfriend is a local repair man and has worked on numerous houses of family and friends. When we found out this year that they were still struggling, we decided to volunteer to cook and deliver a ham and turkey with two pies, 5 sides and enough frozen meat to last an extra month in case of hard times during the rest of the year. We hope that through this effort we can make their holiday a little better, and perhaps the world a better place.
Amy and Victor
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Gifts Multiplied
Jamie and Karla,
On Friday Dec. 19th I went with my brother and a friend to hear the Richmond Boys' Choir at St. Andrews Church. The "ticket" was a food donation to the Central Va. Foodbank. The boys' singing was wonderful, full of enthusiasm and heart.
Our bag of food was a small gift compared to the joy the boys gave to us, the audience.
Lenore
Jamie,
First, let me say that I am so sorry to hear about Theo. I remember that your wife was expecting when I went to work in Petersburg, and I really didn't see you again except for that one time when I was visiting VCU, so let me say that I am very sorry for your loss, and I really respect what you are doing in Theo's memory and honor. You are first-class, all the way.
Now for my first (and hopefully not last) act of random kindness in Theo's name: Tonight, in line at the Walmart (a place I hate to be), I let a woman who thought she was in line, but wasn't, in the line ahead of me. At first, there was tension because she was obviously butting in front of me (I had witnesses who were ready to be outraged on my behalf--there was a fierce energy in the line!), but I thought of your email and Theo, and the season, and I thought that a couple of minutes in line wasn't worth the stress and anger. I ended up chatting with the woman; she was buying a gift for her 70 year old mother's birthday. She was very nice, and a lot of the stress I had been feeling (stress that was making me more likely to snap at people) melted away. It worked out that several of us in the line had a pleasant conversation--mostly about how we shouldn't be too hard on the slow cashier because we know Walmart doesn't treat its employees very well. The mood lightened for several of us, I think. A little thing, I know, but they add up. It was a good moment that was almost a bad one.
Thanks for putting this energy out, especially at this time of year.
Merry Christmas,
Boz
Jamie, Karla, and Lula,
In honor of loved ones, we have given gifts of baby chicks to Heifer International. I hope you all have a happy and restful holiday.
For Theo's stocking--
With thoughts of dear little Theo, we made a contribution to Church Hill Academy, a relatively new school in association with CHAT (Church Hill Activities and Tutoring). Both minister to neighborhood kids in numerous ways. Theo would love the kids at Church Hill Academy. They're full of energy and inquisitiveness and are just plain fun. Giving to them through time, interaction, and funds is a privilege.
This time, Theo, we did it with thoughts of you. Blessings upon you, little one.
Pat and Randy
On Friday Dec. 19th I went with my brother and a friend to hear the Richmond Boys' Choir at St. Andrews Church. The "ticket" was a food donation to the Central Va. Foodbank. The boys' singing was wonderful, full of enthusiasm and heart.
Our bag of food was a small gift compared to the joy the boys gave to us, the audience.
Lenore
Jamie,
First, let me say that I am so sorry to hear about Theo. I remember that your wife was expecting when I went to work in Petersburg, and I really didn't see you again except for that one time when I was visiting VCU, so let me say that I am very sorry for your loss, and I really respect what you are doing in Theo's memory and honor. You are first-class, all the way.
Now for my first (and hopefully not last) act of random kindness in Theo's name: Tonight, in line at the Walmart (a place I hate to be), I let a woman who thought she was in line, but wasn't, in the line ahead of me. At first, there was tension because she was obviously butting in front of me (I had witnesses who were ready to be outraged on my behalf--there was a fierce energy in the line!), but I thought of your email and Theo, and the season, and I thought that a couple of minutes in line wasn't worth the stress and anger. I ended up chatting with the woman; she was buying a gift for her 70 year old mother's birthday. She was very nice, and a lot of the stress I had been feeling (stress that was making me more likely to snap at people) melted away. It worked out that several of us in the line had a pleasant conversation--mostly about how we shouldn't be too hard on the slow cashier because we know Walmart doesn't treat its employees very well. The mood lightened for several of us, I think. A little thing, I know, but they add up. It was a good moment that was almost a bad one.
Thanks for putting this energy out, especially at this time of year.
Merry Christmas,
Boz
Jamie, Karla, and Lula,
In honor of loved ones, we have given gifts of baby chicks to Heifer International. I hope you all have a happy and restful holiday.
For Theo's stocking--
With thoughts of dear little Theo, we made a contribution to Church Hill Academy, a relatively new school in association with CHAT (Church Hill Activities and Tutoring). Both minister to neighborhood kids in numerous ways. Theo would love the kids at Church Hill Academy. They're full of energy and inquisitiveness and are just plain fun. Giving to them through time, interaction, and funds is a privilege.
This time, Theo, we did it with thoughts of you. Blessings upon you, little one.
Pat and Randy
Saturday, December 20, 2008
More Acts of Kindness
From Peggy and Hank:
Dear Karla and Jamie,
It was so good to see you and Lula at the Angel of Hope service. With Theo in mind I bought and gave a book for grieving grandparents to a couple who have recently lost their teenage granddaughter to drug overdose. Thank you for the inspiration to reach out to others in need this holiday season.
May you enjoy the joys of the season, whatever they may be for you and your family.
Blessings,
Peggy
From Angela and Mike:
For Theo this year, Mike and I were going to do our secret donation of a large tip to a waiter or waitress. However, at a faculty meeting this week, our principal shared that a school family was struggling financially and could use some help this Christmas getting items for their children.
The items included clothes, shoes, etc.
We decided to donate our money in Theo's honor to the family. My grade level added a certificate for the Mom and her daughter to get their nails done, too. They needed something FUN to do too! :-)
The Mom is a single mom who is battling cancer for the 2nd time. I have been worried about her daughter. There are many unanswered questions from everyone involved, and the Mom is worried this may be her last Christmas. She is such a strong, positive person, and I have enjoyed getting to know her.
Once again, I am reminded that our life pattern can be altered on a dime, and the only thing you can do sometimes is enjoy the moment.
Please keep this family in your prayers or meditation. I just hope that their day on Christmas is a peaceful one. I feel honored to have done my little part on Theo's behalf.Life is too precious and the moments too few.......have a wonderful day TODAY!
Love and Kisses...Angela and Mike
From Audrey:
I love this kindness project and it's so easy to participate.
I was moved today by 12 high school students standing outside in the cold playing their clarinets, trumpets, flutes and other band instruments outside the local grocery store. Their band director was shivering as he struggled to keep them playing, and the choir director was selling baked goods the students had made. I went to my car and dropped off the groceries, then walked back and gave them a few dollars with a "good luck." "Oh, take some cookies," the choral director says. "Here," I smile, "I don't need anything, just want to contribute."
You know I don't know if they were raising money for a trip or because of some new budget cut or worse loss of part of their program, but music is the thread that ties hearts together--and that's worth more than a couple bucks. At the time, I didn't think this was much, but for what it is, I'm happy to add this act of kindness in Theo's name.
Peace,
Audrey
Cait's mom
Dear Karla and Jamie,
It was so good to see you and Lula at the Angel of Hope service. With Theo in mind I bought and gave a book for grieving grandparents to a couple who have recently lost their teenage granddaughter to drug overdose. Thank you for the inspiration to reach out to others in need this holiday season.
May you enjoy the joys of the season, whatever they may be for you and your family.
Blessings,
Peggy
From Angela and Mike:
For Theo this year, Mike and I were going to do our secret donation of a large tip to a waiter or waitress. However, at a faculty meeting this week, our principal shared that a school family was struggling financially and could use some help this Christmas getting items for their children.
The items included clothes, shoes, etc.
We decided to donate our money in Theo's honor to the family. My grade level added a certificate for the Mom and her daughter to get their nails done, too. They needed something FUN to do too! :-)
The Mom is a single mom who is battling cancer for the 2nd time. I have been worried about her daughter. There are many unanswered questions from everyone involved, and the Mom is worried this may be her last Christmas. She is such a strong, positive person, and I have enjoyed getting to know her.
Once again, I am reminded that our life pattern can be altered on a dime, and the only thing you can do sometimes is enjoy the moment.
Please keep this family in your prayers or meditation. I just hope that their day on Christmas is a peaceful one. I feel honored to have done my little part on Theo's behalf.Life is too precious and the moments too few.......have a wonderful day TODAY!
Love and Kisses...Angela and Mike
From Audrey:
I love this kindness project and it's so easy to participate.
I was moved today by 12 high school students standing outside in the cold playing their clarinets, trumpets, flutes and other band instruments outside the local grocery store. Their band director was shivering as he struggled to keep them playing, and the choir director was selling baked goods the students had made. I went to my car and dropped off the groceries, then walked back and gave them a few dollars with a "good luck." "Oh, take some cookies," the choral director says. "Here," I smile, "I don't need anything, just want to contribute."
You know I don't know if they were raising money for a trip or because of some new budget cut or worse loss of part of their program, but music is the thread that ties hearts together--and that's worth more than a couple bucks. At the time, I didn't think this was much, but for what it is, I'm happy to add this act of kindness in Theo's name.
Peace,
Audrey
Cait's mom
Friday, December 19, 2008
Newest Good Deeds
I want to start this off by saying that I think your idea for Theo's stocking is brilliant and totally beautiful. I'm sorry that you had to go through something so tragic. My thoughts and warm wishes are with you during this holiday season and I will be inspired forever by your completely creative and positive way of keeping Theo's memory alive.
Here's my good deed: I picked up a Salvation Army angel from the Christmas tree at the Willow Lawn Mall and got a few gifts for a child in need.
Thank you for including me.
Best Wishes & Happy Holidays,
Robin
Hi Jamie and Karla,
Yesterday, I got an angel from the angel tree at Capital One. It was one of many that hadn't been adopted this year. I bought an ipod and new clothes and school supplies for a teenage girl to receive this Christmas.
On Tuesday night, we participated in Caritas, serving dinner to 25 homeless families, and I was in charge of the craft activity. The kids and adults painted Christmas ornament balls and covered them with glitter. Seeing families who have no home certainly made me and Danny and even Christopher, I think, appreciate all that we have this year.
God bless Lula and both of you.
With love,
Michele, Danny, and Chrissy Robin
Here's my good deed: I picked up a Salvation Army angel from the Christmas tree at the Willow Lawn Mall and got a few gifts for a child in need.
Thank you for including me.
Best Wishes & Happy Holidays,
Robin
Hi Jamie and Karla,
Yesterday, I got an angel from the angel tree at Capital One. It was one of many that hadn't been adopted this year. I bought an ipod and new clothes and school supplies for a teenage girl to receive this Christmas.
On Tuesday night, we participated in Caritas, serving dinner to 25 homeless families, and I was in charge of the craft activity. The kids and adults painted Christmas ornament balls and covered them with glitter. Seeing families who have no home certainly made me and Danny and even Christopher, I think, appreciate all that we have this year.
God bless Lula and both of you.
With love,
Michele, Danny, and Chrissy Robin
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Story of Daniel and Sean
Through Theo's Stocking, I recently reconnected with a woman I worked with a few years ago. She left our workplace before I was pregnant with Theo and a mutual friend forwarded her this year's Stocking Blog. She contacted me after learning of Theo and our story and told me the story of her two sons who died--years apart from one another. Little Daniel was born and died in 1993. Sean was killed by a drunk driver in 2005.
This is the story she shared with me:
Daniel lived a week at MCV. The first time I was well enough to hold him was three hours before he died. Never had I experienced the deep continuing scalding of mourning.....not even when my Daddy had died 5 years earlier.
Sean was 13 when Daniel was born and died. He was deeply affected by this event. This was before there were groups to help children dealing with death and loss, so I did my best. Even though I felt abandoned by God and very alone and angry about Daniel's dying when I knew in my soul that I was told he would live; I tried to speak words of Faith to Sean. Faith in the goodness and providence of the power of the Universal Truth. I call her "God". I kept telling Sean that if he wanted a relationship with his brother, that he had to be open to Daniel and also reach out to him.
Over the years, Sean talked to Daniel nearly every day. He asked Daniel to speak to him, intervene for him, and help him from the other side. All through college, even, Sean's letters speak of his talking to Daniel. Sean saw Daniel as his guide, protector, and mentor. They became very close.
On June 7, 2005, a 55 year old man with an open gallon of wine between his legs, crossed three lanes of traffic and crashed into Sean and his then six-year-old daughter, Emma. Sean was taking Emma to feed a friend's gerbil. They were about 8 blocks from home. Emma survived her physical injuries.
Sean lived for 11 days in the Neuro ICU at Wake Med. I lived in the ICU waiting room during that time. I could not leave Sean even though he was sedated and not fully conscious. Several late nights or very early mornings his nurse came to the waiting room to ask me to come sing to him. This seemed to calm him and get the blood pressure and ICP where it needed to be. I sang lullaby's and songs that he knew from his early childhood. As I sang, I visualized holding him and rocking him.
There were times when I felt he communicated with me: "I hurt", "I am so thirsty", "I am tired." After 11 days, Sean died of infection. How ironic that the wounds that seemed the threat, were healing and he died of infection. In this miracle age of medicine in one of the finest trauma facilities around, Sean died of infection.
I miss him all day every day, but the relationship he developed with Daniel and my surviving Daniel's death and what I learn and continue to learn from him, have been a comfort. We all feel their presence and know they are still a part of our journey.
It took me two years to hear the answer to my angry cries to "God." "You put in my heart and soul that my baby would live", I cried. Everything I had come to know and believe seemed destroyed. Finally, in the shower one day (there is something about water, isn't there?) I was doing my same crying and I finally heard God's answer: "Your son did live but you are not satisfied with his life. He lived 7 days. That is the time he needed to complete his mission. Your time is not My time."
With everything that happened with our family and what Sean's illness facilitated, I hear the same message. This time it is Sean's voice. "Mom I finally completed what I was sent to do."
Having had a death experience of my own when Daniel was delivered, I know we have much choice in whether or not we cross over. Sean chose to go. I have to give him the freedom to do that just as I had to give Daniel the freedom to leave and become more.
Nothing diminishes my sense of loss and wishing my boys back. My first-born son and my last-born son. It is hard to allow our children to choose their own time and place to evolve.
Maybe I have two sons on the other side because I have a hard time hearing and allowing my life to evolve without my having control. It is a hard position in which to find peace after living with an abusive husband.
The shoulder injury that I sustained while working evolved into nerve damage after surgery. The pain has been debilitating, and removed me further from having any control. I have to rely on much assistance. At the time I had surgery, I was moving to Rockville, VA from the Glen Allen area. I know this is all part of the plan for my life. I am surrounded by the beauty of this earth every day.
Know I love you and your beautiful family. All of you. What a power for good little Theo is.
I have made a donation to Comfort Zone Camp in memory of our boys.
Love,
Helen
Thank you Helen--your story touches me more than you can know.
--Love,
Karla
This is the story she shared with me:
Daniel lived a week at MCV. The first time I was well enough to hold him was three hours before he died. Never had I experienced the deep continuing scalding of mourning.....not even when my Daddy had died 5 years earlier.
Sean was 13 when Daniel was born and died. He was deeply affected by this event. This was before there were groups to help children dealing with death and loss, so I did my best. Even though I felt abandoned by God and very alone and angry about Daniel's dying when I knew in my soul that I was told he would live; I tried to speak words of Faith to Sean. Faith in the goodness and providence of the power of the Universal Truth. I call her "God". I kept telling Sean that if he wanted a relationship with his brother, that he had to be open to Daniel and also reach out to him.
Over the years, Sean talked to Daniel nearly every day. He asked Daniel to speak to him, intervene for him, and help him from the other side. All through college, even, Sean's letters speak of his talking to Daniel. Sean saw Daniel as his guide, protector, and mentor. They became very close.
On June 7, 2005, a 55 year old man with an open gallon of wine between his legs, crossed three lanes of traffic and crashed into Sean and his then six-year-old daughter, Emma. Sean was taking Emma to feed a friend's gerbil. They were about 8 blocks from home. Emma survived her physical injuries.
Sean lived for 11 days in the Neuro ICU at Wake Med. I lived in the ICU waiting room during that time. I could not leave Sean even though he was sedated and not fully conscious. Several late nights or very early mornings his nurse came to the waiting room to ask me to come sing to him. This seemed to calm him and get the blood pressure and ICP where it needed to be. I sang lullaby's and songs that he knew from his early childhood. As I sang, I visualized holding him and rocking him.
There were times when I felt he communicated with me: "I hurt", "I am so thirsty", "I am tired." After 11 days, Sean died of infection. How ironic that the wounds that seemed the threat, were healing and he died of infection. In this miracle age of medicine in one of the finest trauma facilities around, Sean died of infection.
I miss him all day every day, but the relationship he developed with Daniel and my surviving Daniel's death and what I learn and continue to learn from him, have been a comfort. We all feel their presence and know they are still a part of our journey.
It took me two years to hear the answer to my angry cries to "God." "You put in my heart and soul that my baby would live", I cried. Everything I had come to know and believe seemed destroyed. Finally, in the shower one day (there is something about water, isn't there?) I was doing my same crying and I finally heard God's answer: "Your son did live but you are not satisfied with his life. He lived 7 days. That is the time he needed to complete his mission. Your time is not My time."
With everything that happened with our family and what Sean's illness facilitated, I hear the same message. This time it is Sean's voice. "Mom I finally completed what I was sent to do."
Having had a death experience of my own when Daniel was delivered, I know we have much choice in whether or not we cross over. Sean chose to go. I have to give him the freedom to do that just as I had to give Daniel the freedom to leave and become more.
Nothing diminishes my sense of loss and wishing my boys back. My first-born son and my last-born son. It is hard to allow our children to choose their own time and place to evolve.
Maybe I have two sons on the other side because I have a hard time hearing and allowing my life to evolve without my having control. It is a hard position in which to find peace after living with an abusive husband.
The shoulder injury that I sustained while working evolved into nerve damage after surgery. The pain has been debilitating, and removed me further from having any control. I have to rely on much assistance. At the time I had surgery, I was moving to Rockville, VA from the Glen Allen area. I know this is all part of the plan for my life. I am surrounded by the beauty of this earth every day.
Know I love you and your beautiful family. All of you. What a power for good little Theo is.
I have made a donation to Comfort Zone Camp in memory of our boys.
Love,
Helen
Thank you Helen--your story touches me more than you can know.
--Love,
Karla
Another Kindness
This one from Julie A.:
Karla, Jamie & Lula,
I am so glad to participate again this year. I think of Theo often during the year and know in my heart that I am a better person for having known him.
Participating in Theo's Christmas Stocking and honoring Theo's memory at Christmas always warms my heart. This year I decided to take it up a notch and I wanted to do something different. I had received something from Meals on Wheels where you could make a donation and decorate a paper place mat that would be delivered with a holiday meal. I made a donation and decorated the place mat. I colored the place mat in festive colors, drew wreaths, christmas trees and dedicated it to Theo's memory and of course, I had to draw a dragon fly on it. I hope it means a lot to the person who receives it this holiday season.
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season filled with love and peace.
Much love,
Julie
Karla, Jamie & Lula,
I am so glad to participate again this year. I think of Theo often during the year and know in my heart that I am a better person for having known him.
Participating in Theo's Christmas Stocking and honoring Theo's memory at Christmas always warms my heart. This year I decided to take it up a notch and I wanted to do something different. I had received something from Meals on Wheels where you could make a donation and decorate a paper place mat that would be delivered with a holiday meal. I made a donation and decorated the place mat. I colored the place mat in festive colors, drew wreaths, christmas trees and dedicated it to Theo's memory and of course, I had to draw a dragon fly on it. I hope it means a lot to the person who receives it this holiday season.
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season filled with love and peace.
Much love,
Julie
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