I had a lot to be excited about this year..... I LOVED that Caleb spent Christmas with my family, I LOVED baking at home with my mom. I LOVED that Karin and Brent are married and were having their first married Christmas with us. I LOVED that I am one of the very few people I know that still have grandparents and I got to see all 3 of them over the holiday. I LOVED that my sisters and I had a lunch with dad that was relaxed and fun, and funny, and filled with just really precious time together that we usually dont have. I LOVED being able to attend Mahgee & Grandpa's 69th wedding anniversary dinner. I LOVED being with Abby and AJ and preparing for Santa's visit. I LOVED hearing about the things Santa brought, and the snacks that he and the reindeer ate when they were delivering gifts. I LOVED being with the Gordons and sharing in the excitement and joys of their family. I really had a lot to be thankful for and to be excited about.
I am over-joyed that the things listed above are normal, awesome blessings that I get to enjoy. Despite all these truly special things, none of them were my favorite Christmas memory. Honestly, the greatest Christmas blessing this year was seeing how much the people that I love stepped up and took care of the residents of a local nursing home. This is not the first year we have participated in this holiday charity....but each year, I am truly moved and honored to even know these people.....let alone be related to most of them!
It is truly a group effort to pull off sponsoring as many residents as we do.....but each and every person delivers on the promise of bringing cheer to the elderly that are so often forgotten. When I email the list of adoptable residents, it is usually a matter of minutes before people start emailing back with the names of the residents they want to sponsor. Everyone shops, spends money, and gift wraps with beautiful and generous hearts. Dad then collects all the presents and drives them to Waco where I meet him to transfer gifts from his truck to my car. This is honestly a very moving, very heart-warming event. I shouldnt be surprised, but each year, I am overwhelmed at all of the beautiful gift bags and flowing tissue paper. These gifts are not just carelessly purchased and thrown in cheap bags. They are wrapped, labeled and made beautiful as if going to our very own family members.
This year, when the gifts from family in Austin were combined with gifts from me & the FW peeps, they wouldnt all fit into my vehicle. WHAT A FABULOUS PROBLEM!!!!! As luck would have it, I was unavailable at the time that the gifts needed to be provided to the nursing home point of contact.....
Enter Caleb and Scott. (big hugs, big hugs). Both of these guys loaded up their vehicles.... (I mean to the tippy top....not a square inch of extra space) and got these gifts delivered on time.
It is my honor each year to attend the nursing home Christmas party when the gifts are passed out to all the residents. This year was probably the best one yet. Below is a picture of all of the gifts that were awaiting the residents when they entered the dining hall.
When the gifts were being passed out, I stood along the wall in the back of the room and just watched as so many of these precious, wonderful souls beamed with excitement that there was actually something for them in the pile. I have no doubt that God intentionally drew my attention to a black lady a few tables away that just so happened to be receiving one of the gifts that I donated. As soon as it was set down in front of her she covered her face and exclaimed "look at this beautiful bag....I cant believe someone would do this for me". A lump rose in my throat.
She struggled with getting some of the items out of the bag, so I approached her and asked if I could assist. Her wonderful, warm smile accepted my offer and she said "This is a great day.....I just cant believe this is happening. Look at all the things in this bag. Oh, thank you to whoever did this for me". The lump in my throat grew. Literally, seconds later, the resident in front of me was approached from behind by a couple of ladies that had just arrived at the facility. When she turned to see who it was, she grabbed my arm with one hand, and buried her head with the other hand and began to cry. "Oh my" she exclaimed....."is this really happening?". It only took a second for her to look up through her tears inform me that the woman behind her was her sister from Michigan who came to surprise her for Christmas. By this point, the lump in my throat was massive, and I was trying not to cry. Thank you, God, for allowing me to witness this and to have played a small part in providing this woman with a great day.
I fully understand the incredible power and gift of having sisters......and I know that I would have reacted in EXACTLY the same way. I was really excited to get to see the result of my time, effort, and money for this resident that was essentially a stranger to me. It was truly a special gift to see her having such an awesome day with unexpected gifts and visitors.
I am not permitted to take pictures of the residents, or I would have snapped shots of all the people that received gifts from my friends and family.....but since this particular resident had family right there with her to grant me permission, I was allowed to get a picture with my resident and her sister. I was honored.
Speaking of unexpected, but appreciated surprises..... I received a card in the mail today from the family of the resident above thanking me. It even included a picture of me with the resident. It's actually better than the pic above but I dont know how to scan it.....so too bad.
Ok, I could talk forever about this.....but I'll wrap it up. I am overwhelmed, and immensely grateful..... specifically for the people (you know who you are) that participated in sponsoring the elderly this year. It was the highlight of my holiday. I cant thank you enough for your kind and generous hearts. You are truly incredible people.
Matthew 25:40 "Whatever you do to the least of my brothern, you have done unto me"
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