So one Thursday morning you wake up.
You have been blessed by some wonderful surprises recently, but still,
the stresses of life are weighing you down.
Sitting heavy on your shoulders.
And you still are worried about Christmas.
Trying to come up with creative answers about why Santa will not be bringing this present.
Or that present.
Snow days have rearranged schedules and made it so that your kids have 4 Christmas parties on the same morning.
You are rushing around.
Running late.
Forgetting things.
Before you pull out of the driveway, you grab yesterday’s mail out of the mailbox and throw it on the passenger seat.
You rush to one party.
Then the next,
Then the next.
And after the last party, you go out to your car and you just sit.
You exhale.
You look over at the the pile of mail on the front seat of your car.
You open a couple of Christmas cards.
And then you open this one.
Holy shit. $200.
Yes, you believe that will alleviate some worry.
And so, since your dad is already at home babysitting, you call and ask him if you can take an extra hour to go to Costco.
He answers with, “You better do that,” and you pull into the Costco parking lot smiling.
And still in shock.
Because in your garage you have a collection of used toys that some of your friends have given you, that you are going to give to your kids for Christmas.
They are wonderful, and your kids will love them.
But there is something about being able to buy a brand new toy for your children.
You get a cart and head straight to where the books are. You see some that you know your kids are going to love.
You put them in your cart.
You haven’t been able to by a brand new anything for your kids,
without stealing from Peter to pay Paul,
in a long, long time.
Years.
And then you see the Pillow Pets.
You pick out 5 of them, and you put them in your cart.
And then, you hear this.
The Canadian Tenors are singing Hallelujah.
You look up and you are standing directly under a speaker.
Your cart is full of Pillow Pets and books,
and you feel like they are singing only to you.
You look at your cart,
you look at the money in your purse,
and you sob.
Angels among us.
Hallelujah.
You drive home filled with the Christmas Spirit.
You get home just after your husband.
He has put another pile of mail and a white plastic garbage bag on the dining room table.
You look in the bag first.
Clothes.
Lots of them.
All the perfect size for your seven-year-old.
You are pretty sure you know the angel who dropped those off.
The tears.
They come again.
Hallelujah.
The song is still playing in your head.
You move to today’s pile of mail.
You see this:
The last time you got one of those, it was from a credit card company.
And it wasn’t good.
You opt for the bad news first.
With one eye closed, you open it.
And you pull out this:
You have been telling your 7-year-old, who has been begging for weeks to go see Frozen, that we will wait and rent it when it comes out.
“Mom! We NEVER go to the movies!” she says.
She’s right.
You haven’t taken your kids to the movies in over 2 years.
It’s just too expensive.
Until now.
How Todd Ingersoll Automotive got your address, you have no idea.
Again, you sob.
The Canadian Tenors are still singing to you.
Hallelujah.
You sit down.
And you pick up the next envelope.
You open it, and you read this:
I believe there are angels in the world today,
whether they know it or not…
angels who add light to every life they touch.
And you, my friend, are one of them.
Another gift card.
Your Guardian Angel.
Holy Shit.
What,
the hell,
is going,
on…
Those Canadians are still singing in your head.
Hallelujah.
There is one unopened envelope left.
Your name is on it, but it doesn’t feel like a Christmas card.
Maybe you should just stop now.
Go out on a high note.
You decide to open it.
And then you just
totally
lose it.
I really don’t know what to say.
Except for thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And…
Hallelujah.
People are just amazing, this brought tears to my eyes! I read your blog and your Facebook updates, you bring a smile to my face all the time!! I am so glad that you and your family can have the Christmas you deserve!
Maureen,
Thank you. It was an unbelievable day.
Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas to you too!
Keep smiling!
Susie 🙂
Had to stop halfway through this because I couldn’t see through the tears, it has been a horrendous year in my house but reading your blog has always brought a smile to my face. It’s lovely to read about all the wonderful gifts you received.
I hope you and your lovely family have a wonderful time this season
Merry Christmas x
Thank you Stevie.
Sorry to hear you are having a rough year. I can relate for sure. Hang in there. It will get better. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thank you for reading!
Susie 🙂
Brought tears to my eyes. There are amazing people in this world and if you didn’t know it before… I think this is proof that you are one of them!!!!!
Marla,
Thank you so much. What a day it was.
Happy Holidays to you, and thank you for reading!
Susie 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us Susie. I cried all the way through. You have been a pleasure and inspiration for me throughout this year. Thanks for showing us all how to hang tough! I love Christmas miracles and the warmth of kind humanity.
Kelly,
Thank you so much. It has been quite a year.
Thanks for taking the journey with me.
Merry Christmas!!!
Susie 🙂
Wow. Just when my cynicism was winnng the battle over my holiday cheer, I read your post. We tend to lose site of all the good in this world. Even though my kids are grown, we too have a blended family. Since marrying my husband 22 years ago, we’ve put 3 1/2 kids through college (the youngest is a junior), and paid for 2 weddings. I appreciate you honesty and humor because as much as we love our kids, its not always fun. I wish you and your wonderful family a Merry Christmas.
Carol,
Yikes… Maybe my kids will all start their own multimillion dollar companies before they reach college age and then decide to stay single.
(Like I’ve been saying, miracles do happen 😉 )
Merry Christmas!
Susie 🙂
It is always amazing to see how much good there truly is in the world when all we normally hear about are negatives. I really believe we are all good and its awesome to see that play out. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story!
Chills. Goosebumps. Tears. Susie, your family is a blessing to so many that share in your lives. It’s no wonder people want to give back – especially at this time of year. Thank you for letting us all in.
Oh Allyson…
You are one of those angels!!! Thank you for being a part of my life and joining in the craziness!
XOXO ~
Susie
This just brought me to tears. I’m so glad people were able to help your family and it is making such an impact! Hugs Mama! Merry Christmas!
Jennifer,
Thank you so much. It’s been a crazy couple days.
weeks…
months!
Merry Christmas to you to!
Susie
Susie, I cried thru the whole blog today! The song was playing while I was reading and I bawled. Thank you so much for writing EVERY day,. I look forward to reading every single blog. You are inspiring, and motivational and hilarious and most of all real and honest. From my whole heart I say Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your whole family. I truly hope you have a wonderful New Year.
Renee…
Thank YOU so much. You have been a very loyal reader and there from the very beginning. I don’t know how you even came across the blog, but thank you for continuing to read!
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!!
XOXO ~
Susie
I found you on Top Mommy Blogs and have enjoyed every single blog!!!
Susie,
This is amazing! You are definitely one of the really good true people out there! Your blog is amazing hank you so much for bringing a smile to my face every day! Love and happy holidays.
From, a firm believer in miracles all the way baby!
Thank you, Ashley.
Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas to YOU!!!
Susie
Thank*
I have been following your blog for quite some time and I enjoy it. I think it is refreshing to read some of the things we are afraid to say out loud. Thank you for reminding us that angels do exist. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Danielle,
You’d be surprised by how freeing it is to just put it out there…we are all in the same boat!
Thank you for the kind words! Merry Christmas to you!
Susie 🙂
Oh Susie! Gosh just like the others, I read and bawled my way throught your writing today. I was just sitting here thinking about all the things that HAVE to be done before Christmas. Thank you for reminding me this morning about the true spirit of Christmas. I appreciate you so very much! You’ve brought a ton of laughs as I’ve read over the last year or so….and a few well spent tears. 🙂
Cindy,
You are welcome, and thank YOU for reading!
It was a pretty magical day. What I thought would be a difficult Christmas is turning out to be the best one ever.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Susie:)