Really, why didn’t you say something?
How could you let me get this bad?
People, did you really think it would go unnoticed when you let me whine on every single day about shopping?
My life truly has more meaning than that, I swear. I do have other things to talk about in my life. Trust me.
I got together with a group of co-workers and adopted a family from Children & Families of Iowa. I was expecting a family with a few kids like we’ve gotten in the past, but this one was different. I was surprised to find out this family consisted of a 19-year old girl, her 22-year old fiancee, and their baby boy, expected to be born sometime in January.
In this season of gift-giving, where my kids are pushing the “extravagance” threshold to its limits, it is humbling to see a young family starting their lives with nothing. I wanted to go to the ends of the earth to make this family’s Christmas extra special, but there was a dollar limit we had to abide by. So when my kids ask for things like iPod Touches, new cell phones, video games, and name-brand clothing, it brings me to tears to read the information sheet for this young family and see THIS:
“This family just found a place to live on their own and have nothing. Money is very tight.”
A young couple, with a baby on the way, and they have nothing. Nothing but each other.
I remembered back when I got my first apartment, before I even thought of having children or getting married. I remember starting with nothing. I remember using hand-me-down EVERYTHING– towels, sheets, you name it.
We were able to raise enough money to give this family a very special Christmas. On Tuesday morning, we transported two carts FULL of gifts down to the company’s loading dock. Company-wide, 42 families were adopted. That’s 42 families who will have a brighter Christmas morning thanks in huge part to some awesome people.
The family we donated will be able to get their new lives started with brand new pots and pans, baking sheets, kitchen utensils, sheets, blankets, clothing, and a new vacuum cleaner. And we couldn’t leave out the baby! Baby boy will receive new clothes, diapers, a diaper bag full of goodies, books, crib sheets, and a cute new Boppy pillow.
It makes me realize that HUGE things can be done when a lot of people put their heads (and hearts) together.
