Tonight Fellow DU'ers, pat yourselves on the back - I have something good to tell you! (you helped)

[The Straight Story]

A short while ago you all help me. Tonight I want to tell you the fruits of that, and thank you again.

My utilities have stayed on, I have food, and soon I may have a paycheck (screw up on my family medical leave act, but seems like all should be well soon!)

BUT - that is not the big thing. No - this is:

My wife and neighbor are troop leaders for a small daisy troop. 13 girls, most too poor to even afford their dues.

Tonight they came to our house for a Christmas party. There are 13 wrapped presents my wife and neighbor got them, tea sets. There are stockings with their names on them - filled with candy and Christmas pencils. There are surprise toys. Pizza, and cupcakes, and punch.

But even that is not the best. The best is:

Tonight those little girls went out into the cold and sang Christmas carols to our neighbors. People around here who have lost loved ones in the last few years, lonely older people, some spending their first Christmas alone.

The smiles were worth it all to them.

I stood on my front porch waiting on the pizza as I watched them go door to door. And I thought of you all.

We may fight over everything from politics to smoking, from climbing mt hood to general news, but when it comes down to it - you get things done when the chips are down.

Tonight, in part because of your help, joy was felt in the heart of 13 little girls and a bunch of neighbors.

Thanks DU. Merry Christmas, and a big Happy Holidays to you and yours.

[AnnieBW]

1. That's The Reason For The Season!

Not conspicuous consumption! You done good, my friend. :toast:

[TomInTib]

2. It was the caroling that did it..

made me kinda teary.

Thanks for the account and hang in there, man.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Me, too, Tom. n/t

[The Straight Story]

25. Was just talking to the wife about it all (the girls went home a bit ago)

Several people they went to wanted to know if they were selling something and some offered money, and all asked what they were caroling for.

They were all shocked to learn they were just caroling because they wanted to. They ended up making $30 for the troop, without really wanting to.

Just a damn shame people don't caroling more often these days. Been 30+ years since anyone did that here. People are not sure what to make of it, one old guy locked his door, think he was scared :)

[TomInTib]

30. Ain't it strange that folks tend to see a commercial tie-in to something..

so intrinsically innocent?

In our little town, we recently had our first Annual Tree Lighting and we brought in some great carolers from UCSF. It was the first time I had heard carolers in the street in decades.
And it was wonderful.

But it was remembrance of those airy, flighty, slightly-off-key little-girl voices in your story that just really brought it all Home for me.

Thank you, T S S. That story was about all I needed.

And I didn't even know that I needed it.

Life is curious, sometime.

Merry Christmas, friend.

Tom

[KatyaR]

3. This is the first thing this season that's made me feel like it's Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Straight Story--I'm so glad things are looking up for you and your family.

[FedUpWithIt All]

4. Thank you for sharing this.

I hope your family has a wonderful season. :hug:

[angstlessk]

5. Seems DU has it own "It's A Wonderful Life" story of it very own!

TAPat being Clarence...all us DU'ers gathered together to put our little pittance into the basket..till it made a difference in someone else's life. Thanks for that...and a great big Merry Christmas to you and your family. You have certainly made mine merrier by your stories, poems and this little tidbit!

[w8liftinglady]

6. God,I needed this tonight.Thank you.

Merry Christmas to your family and those precious children.

[The Straight Story]

17. One little girl still saddens me, she never talks

I am hoping though this troop will bring her out of it. She seems always so distant and shell shocked. I think tonight helped some. It is a start. Thank you all again!

[Subdivisions]

8. A touching Christmas story..thank you!

[Monkeyman]

9. May Your life be better from now on

[Redstone]

10. Good deal, my friend. Good deal.

Redstone

[elehhhhna]

11. You are almost fully powered up, SS. All this love you are giving will return tenfold.

You'll see. It's already happening.

Just be it.

[blm]

12. Peace to all.

.

[SeattleGirl]

13. That sounds like such a wonderful evening, SS

Bless you and Mrs. SS for what you did for the girls, and bless the girls for what they gave to the neighbors.

[The Straight Story]

14. I just stepped into the other room as they opened the gifts

The squeal of 13 little girls about made me deaf! They loved the tea sets though. They also made gingerbread men ornaments and cards for their parents.

yeah, it feels like Christmas!

[shaniqua6392]

15. Very uplifting story!

A reminder of what it is all about. Thank you. Have a wonderful Christmas and may next year bring you all of the blessings you so deserve.

[KAZ]

16. Thank you SS! I worked 13 hours of hell today...

...and you just helped me to be able to sleep tonight. :pals:

[Bluerthanblue]

18. tears...

... that aren't caused by sadness- but by gratitude- thank you for spreading light in this dark world- thank you for your words of hope and joy-

may the ripples never cease-

love to you and yours and to everyone

blu

[lonestarnot]

19. Woooodamnwhoo! Food on the family! Not screwn no more!

[renate]

20. that's so sweet!

What lovely memories your wife and neighbor gave them. They will mean SO much in the years ahead.

And then those little girls gave lovely memories of what the holiday season is all about to your neighbors.

Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

Give your wife and your neighbor a great big :grouphug: from us, and here's one for you. :grouphug:

[MuseRider]

21. Big, warm smile and a few tears.

Thank you for the story. I am so happy that you are using your wonderful spirit to give back to those little girls. You will be rewarded for this in your life many times over.

This is what people are supposed to be like to each other and it feels so good to know you and know that you are doing wonderful things for others. :hug: You made me really happy tonight on a very sad day. One more :hug:

[The Straight Story]

22. It made my day to see them all caroling tonight

They sang their little hearts out. My dad, who they sang to (lives next door), pulled out a $20 and told us to get them all something.

Neighbor after neighbor smiled and were shocked. No one has been caroling here for 30+ years, since I was a kid.

A big HUG for my wife and neighbor for getting it done.

[peacetalksforall]

23. Thank you for the story. It is a beautiful balance to an earlier

thread and the numbers are interesting. The number of your girls who brought joy to you, others, and each other was 13. In another thread earlier today, there was a report about two Palestinian girls, one 12 and one 14, being shot near a fence. One died.

Thanks for sharing your bright spots.

The interactive weaving of all earth's children is amazing.

.

[The Straight Story]

24. Children are a wonderful thing in this world

Damned shame how some treat them or use them.

These little girls have very little, and yet they gave so much.

Each year I have worked with people in the company I work for to raise money and get toys (adopt-a-family) and I have seen how utterly sad the lives of others can be. And yet it is little kids with the least who sometimes give the most.

There won't be a new PS3 under their tree, or $100 sweaters like my niece in CA expects. But that did not stop them from going out in 36 degree temps to bring some cheer to much older folks.

There are damned good people in this world, they just rarely get any press :)

I sit here humbled by the love they have shown others in their simple act. Today was Christmas for me, for I saw first hand what it truly is.

[tblue37]

26. Now THIS is what I call

paying it forward!

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Great to hear this

[Dystopian]

28. Thank you....

for sharing this story....thank you for sharing the joy...
You are truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love...
The happiness that you experienced with the little girls, and how moved you are by all of this made my day....
We need to hear more stories like this...
The true spirit of Christmas...


peace~

[LibraLiz1973]

29. You know what you just did?

You paid it forward to the girls..
who paid it forward with their carolling..
and you may never know what the people who answered the door do to pay it forward in their own lives.



GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[calimary]

31. Now, THAT kind of "domino theory" I can get behind.

Wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing it!

:toast:

[mzmolly]

32. Such a wonderful story "SS"

Thank you ever so much for sharing.

[Morgana LaFey]

33. Wow, Incredible example of the ripple effect of doing a little good

Thanks for sharing. Certainly put ME in the Christma Caroling mood (and I needed that -- MORE ripple effect).

[MasonJar]

34. Merry Christmas! Thank you and your wife for your support of the

13 little girls and for sharing a loving Christmas story with us.

[Erika]

35. There is peace on earth if we work for it

Good job.

[Blue Gardener]

36. A lovely Christmas story

I'm sure those girls will always remember this very special Christmas.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

37. K&R... nice sentiment SS, thanks

[pberq]

38. Great story!! - thank you

[Libby2]

39. Thanks for sharing!

:cry: Lovely story!!
Peace to all.

[Irishonly]

40. Thank you

I cried so hard I squeaked when trying to read your post to my husband. Your post puts everything into perspective.