Letters To Santa - Operation Santa

Part 2

I read over my letters several times thinking about what each child and family might both want and need.  One of the letters was so specific but the other was not and said simply "any help that you can give."  I called friends with children around the same ages as the children written about in the letters to ask for suggestions and wandered up and down many aisles in the stores!

After multiple trips to a few stores, all the presents were purchased.  Next step getting the boxes!  A quick trip was made to buy them, and then armed with my packing tape and scissors, they were soon set up in my living room and ready to be packed.

I took all the purchases out of the shopping bags and grouped them for each family.  Once I had everything figured out, I set out packing.

The first family was Tamiko's 9 year old son and 8 year old daughter.  Among other things their box included Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble, Legos and Barbie, swim caps and goggles, books, a science kit, a basketball, notebooks and pens, winter caps, and some plates, dishtowels, and a new scarf for mom.

The second family was Arlena's 8 and 4 year old sons.  Their box included things such as tennis balls, rubber bouncing balls, a frisbee, stuffed superheros, puzzles, a soccer ball, toy trucks and cars, crayons, pens, sketch paper, Legos, fleece blankets, plus some gifts for mom.

Lastly, I wrote a letter from Santa and included one in each box.  They have been delivered to the post office and are on the way to their intended recipients. 

All I wish now is that I could know what the families reactions are when they open them. 

Choose Kindness

Today is December 14th, and there has been much in the news about the one year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.  I am ever amazed at the ability of some of the families to turn their tragedy into activism and a positive message.  For a while I have been following the activities of the families of Emilie Parker and Daniel Barden.  They were two of the young victims, and their families have blogs and Facebook pages dedicated to sharing the positive messages of their children and being kind.  What strength it must take to do so, but what a honor to their memories.

In thinking about them, I have realized that choosing kindness is something you never regret.  You might regret spending too much, eating too much, wasting too much time, saying an unkind word, treating someone as you would not want to be treated....but you will never regret choosing kindness!

  

Ornaments

It is time again for me to leave Christmas Tree ornaments for some finders.  This is one of my favorite items to give away, and I have done so every year since starting this project.  I have hung them on trees in parking lots, left them on benches and car windshields, hung them on hooks under restaurant bars, etc.

I know some have found happy, grateful recipients, and I feel certain others have been overlooked or thrown away.  The world we live in leads to so many people doubting a random kindness.  I certainly hope most of the ornaments I have selected this year make it home onto someone's tree.