So it all began a few months ago with a knock at our door and a card. Inside was something neither Matt nor I was accustomed to. I sweet note from a neighbor and a pile of gift cards. After many seconds of shock, Matt and I looked at each other and asked "Why?" We tucked those cards away and thought and planned two things. One, how to say thank you for the generous gift, and two how to use the generous gift in a way that would benefit our family the most without squandering it on unnecessaries. The gift idea was sweet. A date night for Matt and I complete with dinner, movie passes, and a lot of shopping. Free babysitting was included. Well at the time, Jersey was going through this really rough separation anxiety phase and wouldn't go to anyone, and I mean anyone. A date night without her was definitely out, but we had come up with a more feasible plan and used the gift cards for Christmas.
The next one came on a night when the family was all sitting on our bed watching a Redbox movie together. Late at night a call to check our porch. On the porch was a basket of fruit. The look on my kids eyes that night was priceless. When your main food items come from a 50 gallon bucket- fresh fruit is hard to come by. It was like Christmas. Each piece was savored and shared. (Think of the story of the Christmas orange.)
Next came after Thanksgiving, a box of fruit. This one every bit as special as the first. My kids were in heaven. I was left still wondering why, and Matt was left spending more time on his knees. This has been especially hard on him. Trying and trying to provide for your family and coming up short, working long hours and never seeing the fruits of those labors... until now, no pun intended.
Last night was a knock at the door with an adorable 2 year old standing there. She handed us an envelope and said "Merry Christmas" in this really sweet voice with a smile that would melt snow. We didn't know who the girl was and assumed that there was a Christmas card inside. It wasn't until after she was gone that we opened the envelope and saw something unbelievable. A stack of bills and no note. No way to say thank you for the gift. No way to explain what this has meant to me and my family. No way to express our gratitude at the timing of such a gift. Our kids were there for this moment and although they probably didn't process the amount, their comment was maybe we could go buy some cereal now.
I love my family. I love Matt and his unfailing commitment to keep our family together. I love how supportive he is in me. I love when he hugs me. Good days and bad, and everywhere in between. I love that some of our kids will eat straight up oatmeal every morning without complaint and the ones who hate oatmeal will eat soup and beans for dinner without complaint. I love that they get so excited over apples and oranges and they think of buying cereal instead of toys. I love that they will endure teasing at school about worn out clothes and coats and reduced lunches and instead find friends who are in similar situations. I love that they were the most excited I have seen them at Dollar Tree buying each other gifts. I love that the pressure of the holidays are gone. And the only thing left to worry about is how to say sorry to Matt for airing our dirty laundry to the cyber world. I love that there are people out there who love us and are concerned for our well-being. I wish I could say thank you in person to each individual who has ever helped us. Many of you have been our emotional strength. I am especially grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers, who knows our needs and for a Savior who came and lived as we do, has been in our shoes, and has paid the price for my Ultimate Gift.
