We Just Had the Best Christmas EVER!

[MarianJack]

We're not wealthy people, but I'm starting a decent job on 1/2/09. My wife is going to school to become a nail stylist. our son has some behavioral problems but is a happy, loved and healthy 8 year old boy. We are looking for 2009 to be a much better year than 2008.

Our christmas was pretty much the standard gifts and watching of Holiday Movies. Right now I'm here (obviously) and my lovely wife is e-mailing her friend in PA while our son plays "Naruto" on Wii.

What made this the best Christmas ever really special is something that we (our son included) decided to do as a family. The influence is a combination of President Clinton's book "Giving" and the fact that in our faith, we actually pay attention to the preachings of Jesus rather than having rightist preachers attempt to dictate who we're supposed to hate.

My wife and I usually spend about $100+/- on each other for Christmas Gifts and about $150 on our son and about that much on gift cards for her family in PA. I have no contact with any of my blood relatives and have taken her family as my own (as they have done for me).

A couple of weeks ago when we were grocery shopping at Hannaford, we bought a $10 "Fund a Feast" box that contained some staples that would be donated to a local food bank. When I paid for this, I also donated $5 to a food bank. We got 2 books of coupons that added up to $50 each in savings. There was a single mom in line behind us and I asked her if she could use a book of coupons and gave her one. She was delighted.

We felt like we were walking on air all night.

We decided that we'd each cut $50 off of what we'd spend on each other and buy gift cards for needy people. My wife spoke to my Mother-in-law and we all agreed that what we'd spend on each other would go for the same purpose. My son agreed to sacrifice 1 gift from Santa (he still believes, Thank God, although I think this is probably the last year that he will) for a needy child and we picked a leaf off of the giving tree at our church.

Last Sunday after Mass, we approached our priest and handed him 4 $50 Hannaford Gift cards with the request that they go to 1 Single mom, 1 senior couple and 2 families without jobs. We also got the requested $10 K-Mart gift card for the child from the giving tree. Our condition to Father Sam (not his real name) was that under NO circumstances did we want the recipients to know that the cards came from US.

Once again, we felt like we were walking on air 10 miles above ground. you never know what effect that getting a break will have on somebody. A simple gift card may have been given to somebody who'd previously had to make the choice between gifts or food. Maybe to somebody who was ready to give up and got the hope to go on. What we received from this act of giving was worth SO MUCH MORE than the dollars we spent. as Nice as gifts are, getting a few less and possibly making a difference in the lives of others who will never know who we are was so much better.

My wife and I are going to look into starting a small charity. This is worth continuing. It is also the sort of active citizenship that our new president will need everyday Americans to engage in to help to turn around the 8 year mess of president Scrooge.

I don't write this to gain any praise (or condemnation for that matter). I simply want to share what has been the best Christmas in my 53+ years on this Earth.

Happy Holidays to all of my fellow DU Community.

PEACE!

[Me.]

1. Nice Beyond Words

[MarianJack]

2. Thanks Me!

:patriot:

[NMDemDist2]

3. K&N for the true meaning of Christmas

:grouphug:

[MarianJack]

4. Thanks!

:hug: back at'cha!

[DCBob]

5. Inspiring story.

Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

[MarianJack]

9. You're Welcome, DCBob!

:patriot:

[Indiana_Dem]

6. Thank you for sharing your story!

Our local Obama group was looking for a service to perform in our community. We decided to "piggyback" onto a local mission that needed help delivering care boxes & presents to 100 people around town. It was very rewarding. I will be doing it again next year.

I do believe this was part of the message Obama and his campaign wanted us to carry out, and especially since he is elected. We need to follow through on our vision of community no matter what our differences.

Sidenote: I was recruited to go with another person and she was very "religious" as many church members were a part of the organization. I was able to represent myself as a part of the Obama campaign as a Democrat. I told her the Obama campaign wished for us volunteers to continue service to our communities. I think she was impressed. We talked of the economy (she is an engineer for Delphi Automotive and is worried about her job), she adopted two teenagers a year ago and said she started to realize the burden the cost of the war was putting on future generations. She said "I just didn't realize..." and faded off without any further comment. Then she came back a few moments later and stated how she hopes and thinks Obama will be the best for what we're facing! I think it was a wonderful experience to come into contact and work together with someone who might have been on an opposite track of thinking!

If not for just doing a service project, this was good if only for breaking political and moral prejudices between groups and ideologies!

Happy Holidays!

[TripleKatPad]

8. What a beautiful thing!

Your family is to be commended, MarianJack! You are good people.

My family long ago gave up the idea of exchanging gifts. We all have more than we *really* need. The one gift-giving exception being the two little ones added to the family in the last two years. For one, I adopted a polar bear for her. (She gets an adoption certificate, picture and small cuddly stuffed polar bear...real polar bears get the rest of the donation.)

I love the pay-it-forward concept. For many years now I have donated my holiday bonus to many charities...food banks, heating funds, homeless shelters, nature preservation societies, children's funds, and of course, animal charities (cuz my cats would disown me if I didn't). I get great satisfaction in imagining and hoping that I've given comfort to someone somewhere.

But I must confess one thing. My cats surprised me the other day and insisted on buying me $15 worth of hair product when I was getting my hair cut. This was their holiday gift to me. Those cats! They know I wouldn't ordinarily spend money on something so frivolous, but they knew I needed a little boost.

Peace and well-being to all!

[MarianJack]

11. your cats are so generous...

...but you deserve it!

My wife and also love the pay it forward concept.

PEACE!

[Kajsa]

76. Hi TripleKatPad!

I gave an adoption of a sea turtle, through Defenders of Wildlife,
to my SO this year. He loved it!

And yes, he got a very cute stuffed turtle we named Gilbert.

It really felt good giving to a good cause rather than fretting over
getting the "right" gift. We are definitely going to do this again.

btw, My SO got the nickname "Hanu" ( sea turtle) on our first trip
to Maui, back in '95. The locals watched him paddle out on his
board and the name stuck. Yep, he paddles just like a
hanu, but he gets there just fine. :)

Hope you have a great holiday and Happy New Year.

:) :hi:

[MarianJack]

10. Active Citizenship!

and Kudos to the lady for adopting 2 TEENS!

We adopted our son at 3 1/2 months. Sometimes we think about adopting a 16 or 17 year old. We like the idea of taking someone who is a year or 2 away from having NOBODY and changing their equation.

PEACE!

[KT2000]

7. The best is right

you planted seeds that will continue to grow.
Peace to you and yours.

[MarianJack]

12. We want to give...

...a lot more.

Our new goal is to run our own charity. Hopefully, we'll do it full time.

PEACE!

[LiberalinNC]

13. You and your wonderful family understand the true meaning of Christmas!

You and your family did a wonderful thing! You will hopefully inspire many others to do the same. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[MarianJack]

15. Hopefully...

...like a pebble in a pond.

WE are going to continue to do this.

Merry Christmas to you also!

[Lisa0825]

14. Happy Holidays to you and everyone whose day you brightened.

:hug:

[MarianJack]

17. Thanks again, Lisa0825,...

...and I just addes "Modest Needs" to my favorites list!

Happy Holidays!

PEACE!

[Lisa0825]

19. YAY!

You should read their "Profiles in Courageous Generosity." Really moving stories.

[MarianJack]

21. I Will!

Thanks! :fistbump:

[roguevalley]

16. God bless your house, MarianJack. You are good people.

[MarianJack]

18. Thank you for the blessing rougevalley.

We try to be good people. I don't always succeed.

PEACE!

[grannylib]

20. God bless you for that...having been on the receiving end of a

gift basket of food from a church one year when we were really in bad shape, I know how much those gifts mean. When the pastor showed up at our door with three huge boxes of food, I wept...
We got a turkey, 5 lbs. of coffee, a gallon of milk, 10 lbs. of potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, all the stuff to make green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, veggies, crackers, cheeses, 5 lbs. of apples, 5 lbs. of oranges, dinner rolls, bread, butter (real butter!!), some ground beef, soups, all kinds of stuff...it was such a blessing and so needed at that time...
I promise you, it means SO MUCH to someone in dire straits!
Peace, blessings, and Happy Christmas to you and yours!
:hug:

[MarianJack]

22. We've been in DIRE straits at times...

...and thank God for family then.

We wish your family well!

[grannylib]

23. And also to you...Happy Christmas!

It's a pleasure to hear of those folks who truly understand that Jesus is the Reason for the Season, and who honor that with meaningful action, not just pious words and platitudes!
:hug:

[MarianJack]

24. We'll leave the platittudes...

...to the rightists.

Our priest hugged us and told our son he was fortunate to have us. We're fortunate to have him. BTW, our priest ius a WONDERFUL, generous and loving man.

PEACE!

[AnneD]

25. This is how our best Christmas ever went......

called Mom in early November-we all decided no gifts for for the grownup and we would just give to kids (it's a small group of kids). Hubby and I didn't want anything so this is what we did.........

fully funded 3 families at our elementary for Thanksgiving (up from 2 last year)
increased tithes the last 3 months
gave donations in the name of several of our elderly church members to the church pantry that feeds 350-500 families a year
generously gift tipped countless folks that have helped us this year (tipping is not common or expected in this part of the country)


But the best of all.....hubby and I pledged to pay a semester of community college for a former class mate of my daughter. This kid had to drop out of high school at 15 and go to work supporting herself after her mother died from breast cancer and dad wigged out. She had to couch surf until she got some help from friends. I had lost contact with her shortly after her mom died and just happened to bump into her at a restaurant I went to in October. She works minimum wage so it would take her forever to save up for tuition. I figure once we get her in-she can start getting some scholarships and grants to help. She will have to get her GED but she just needs to take the test in one subject to get a certificate from this one school. She is so excited that she can't wait get the GED completed and start this Spring. Friends have donated a used computer and printer for her and one of her teacher (and my friend) said she would help with tutoring and look for scholarships. This girl was kicked out of a magnet program for poor grades, but they didn't know her whole story. I hope we can help her this January, and the money is set aside just for her. She was crying so hard when I told her the good news. At first she didn't want to take it because she couldn't pay it back. It took me a while to convince her that she didn't pay it back, she had to pay it foreword to someone else someday.

It is really an indescribable feeling. Hubby and I are almost debt free and are blessed with everything we need. We can stretch the cars for another year so this was totally do able. I can't urge folks enough to do things like this if you can. Give a tune up or a new set of tires or pay a bill for a single mom or someone unemployed, some heating oil to a senior or maybe do some house repairs for them. It can be as simple as paying the toll for the guy behind you or paying for someone's dinner tab anonymously. I try to do small things when the chance occurs and am always on the look out for a larger way to gift.

Kudos to you. The whole purpose of gifting is not to curry favour with God or some quid pro quo, but to become more in the image of Christ-to make YOU a better person.

[MarianJack]

26. Absolutely Powerful!

We've spent most of our time BROKE, but we are (among very few) expecting to see a significant increase in income in 2009.

For a long time we thought we had to wait until we had "a few more dollars" until we started to give. How wrong we were.

What has been so edifying to my wife and I is that there are so many people whove responded to this thread who give so much to so many. Maybe this will be a portrait of Obama's America. It certainly shows me something of Frank Capra's America (the community saving Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" or the John Does saving Gary Cooper in "Meet John Doe"). It certainly sustains the faith I have had, though strongly tested, in the American People and their fundamental decency and generosity.

Oh my, what wonderful things that young lady will do from your help!

Peace and blessings to you and yours!

Happy Holidays!

[AnneD]

27. I jumped at the chance to do this.....

A Nursing instructor found out I had no money for books and gave me unlimited access to her professional library. "Can't fight a war without ammo"she said"You'll pay me back someday". This was my pay it foreword. That simple act of generosity had a profound impact on my life. I hope it changes my little friends life as well.

I recommend Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover. I disagree with some of his politics-but he is right on when it comes to money and being a Christian. He actually helps you do more.

[MarianJack]

32. We Have one of his books.

I guess it's time to READ IT!

Thanks!

[AnneD]

83. Consider this

a verification.

[fudge stripe cookays]

31. That is SO wonderful!

I know that the local libraries will often have a huge book of scholarships, grants, etc. I don't know the name of the book, but a librarian should be able to help.

When I was ready to go to college years ago, my mother took me to the library, and we studied the book in depth. Amazing range of financial help out there....you just have to know what you're looking for. You could be the daughter of Swiss goat groomers, and there is probably a scholarship out there!

We found two for me that were writing contests...one was the Society of Mayflower Descendants (I am not one...they just wanted to measure writing ability), and the other was the National Federation of Federal Employees, which my dad had belonged to. I won them both. One was $1000, the other was $500.

This girl has such a great opportunity, thanks to you. :hug:

[MarianJack]

34. There is SO much money for college...

...that goes unused because nobody ASKS for it.

Good Idea!

[Terran]

28. My partner and I donated $200 to the Save the Children Fund

instead of sending any gifts to our families in California and Arizona. I was happy to do it (I admit an ulterior motive--it's a LOT easier than shopping, wrapping and mailing all that stuff), and my mom and auntie were very happy to get their cards announcing the gift in their names.

This is going to be a permanent fixture of our Christmases, and I wish everyone would do it.

Hope everyone who celebrated today had a great Christmas! :hi:

[MarianJack]

33. Feeding Hungry Children.

Much better than buying somebody a book or DVD!

It feels great too, doesn't it?

PEACE!

[chill_wind]

29. Blessings upon you all and your example, mj.

You are what the world needs so much more of, in these times, and in any times-- but especially these times.


Peace!

[MarianJack]

35. If Everybody did just a little...

...it would make such a HUGE difference!

PEACE!

[Hekate]

30. All you folks in this thread made me "cry for happy". You are the spark of light at Winter Solstice

:grouphug:

Hekate

[MarianJack]

36. It amazes me...

...what some fellow DUers do!

It's a heck of a community.

PEACE!

[mnhtnbb]

37. We also gave up sending gifts/money to my family this year. Instead, we made

donations to the local Food Bank and the Toys for Tots program.

At Christmas eve dinner (with grown children, we celebrate on Christmas eve instead of Christmas morning)
we told our boys they wouldn't be getting any gifts from their aunt/uncle this year. We reminisced
about when they were young and I would take them to buy presents that we would then donate to the local
organization that in turn gave to the needy kids (when we lived in Lincoln, NE). I found it interesting
that my youngest son remembered all of that, but my oldest son had no memory of it. The youngest was
in 5th grade when we left NE and the oldest was 9th grade!

I am glad that we made these donations this year. We'll continue next year.

[MarianJack]

40. What a wonderful tradition for your family!

We are going to continue to do this also.

Long term, we'd like to have a charity of our own, hopefully full time.

[Dystopian]

38. KandR. Thank you for sharing your Christmas

with us, and with those who had a wonderful day because of you and your beautiful family...


:hug:


peace~

[MarianJack]

42. Our new Family Tradition.

The kind of active citizenship that our new president would advocate.

PEACE!

[lonestarnot]

39. Good on you. Did get the priest to agree to the terms of your donation and how do you know the

conditions were met? Just curious.

[MarianJack]

41. He Agreed and we trust this priest.

He's been in our church since we moved to Maine 6+ years ago and the stories of his generosity and goodness are legend in our area.

[Omaha Steve]

43. Since 1973 I have never passed a Salvation Army kettle in front of a store

My oldest daughter was born in a Salvation Army hospital for unwed mothers. Bobbi was adopted out in the old fashioned closed way. I never had contact with Bobbi or knew where or how she was doing. I always felt the kettle was my only connection to Bobbi. It was so fitting that when I met her for the first time last year a week before Christmas, the first thing I did was take her to a kettle, throw in some cash, and tell her the story.

I know that the Salvation Army has bad policies on gays. But in W.W. II my dad didn't like the Red Cross. He loved the Salvation Army. Long story. So even though they have a wrong attitude about gays, I do donate to them.

We give to the food bank several times each year.

I gave several friends this year certificates saying I had donated in their name to help recover a rainforest.

Learn more about the Revive a Rainforest campaign: http://www.savebiogems.org/costarica/



Plant a Rainforest Tree:
Save Wildlife & Fight the Climate Crisis All for $10

The Revive a Rainforest campaign in Costa Rica is part of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s BioGems initiative to save wildlife and wildlands across the Americas

[MarianJack]

49. Very Touching.

We have an open adoption, although we've only heard from our son's birth mother once since he was 2.

When he's a little older, we'll help him find her when he wants to meet her.

I hope you and Bobbi have a wonderful relationship!

PEACE!

[madokie]

44. Peace

[MarianJack]

50. And Peace to you & Yours also!

:hi:

[Window]

45. What a wonderful experience for you and your family. K/R.

No doubt you have brought joy to the recipients.



Peace:thumbsup:

[MarianJack]

51. We Hope so.

We'll be doing it a lot more in the future.

PEACE!

[bertman]

46. Very inspiring. Thank you for the post.

[MarianJack]

56. We got so much more...

...out of the giving than we spent on the gift cards.

This is going to be a pattern for us in future!

[BrklynLiberal]

47. A wonderful Christmas story...

[MarianJack]

57. And it lead to a Wonderful Christmas...

...hearing what others do.

[onethatcares]

48. very nice thing to do.

keep the dream alive, all year long. As you said, active citizenship is what it's about, and we'll never know how a bit of kindness can prevent a tragedy.

Peace.

[MarianJack]

58. One bit of kindness...

...may be like a pebble in a pond and ripple out to the whole.

[Number23]

52. Merry Christmas, Marian!

What a lovely person you are.

[MarianJack]

59. Actually, my wife is the best.

My great choice was in asking her to marry me.

[FedUpWithIt All]

53. Blessings to you and your family MarianJack...and Thank You.

:hug:

[MarianJack]

60. We are blessed...

...and decided we'd share it.

Thank you. :patriot:

[JuniperLea]

54. Christians who walk the talk are a gift to us all...

You are a couple of beautiful people, and your actions will no doubt keep a positive force going.

:hug: to you and your wife.

[MarianJack]

61. Thank you, Juniperx.

Like many, we're so tired of those who present Christianity as hatred.

[JuniperLea]

63. I believe in giving credit where credit is due

I was raised as a Fundy, and the hypocrisy I saw in our church changed me... I'm now Agnostic from the experience. But even at that, even if I'm not sure about Jesus, I know in my heart his words are more often than not very wise. It wouldn't hurt any of us to adopt some of that wisdom.

Not all (fill in the blank) are (fill in the blank). :)

Let your light shine:)

[MarianJack]

69. Beautiful response. I'll try some.

Not all republicans are dipsticks (Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt and, of course, Lincoln).

Not all Priests are molesters (we love the priest at our parish).

Not all Democrats are Democrats (like our VP nominee in 2000).

[Obamanaut]

55. I just read the best Christmas post (and responses) ever. Thanks. nt

[MarianJack]

62. Thanks.

I never thought this thread would generate so much.

It's filled my wife's & my heart!

[dana_b]

64. It's a gift to others and so much more fulfilling than

just opening up more stuff. Great post!

[MarianJack]

68. Yes!

We all got a few things. Our big laugh is that my wife and I each got "Mama Mia" for the other. We were quite satisfied and we were simply on a cloud from our donations.

PEACE!

[JDPriestly]

65. Great news!

We donated to a charity about half to one third as much money as we spent on family gifts. It does feel good.

[MarianJack]

70. Congrats!

What did you donate to?

Whoever, it was a great thing to do.

[JDPriestly]

86. Needy children in a developing country. A group of us did this.

We had a personal contact in the country and sent the gifts in the mail.

[yellerpup]

66. Simply beautiful.

The gift you gave is the gift you received and the one that you will never forget. Thank you for sharing your love and enthusiasm with us and inspiring both kindness and activism. Merry, merry!

[MarianJack]

71. True,...

...we will never forget and are changed.

[OneGrassRoot]

73. Yes, my thoughts exactly.....

beautiful gift, to have given and received.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

:)

[MarianJack]

74. Hi, timeforarevolution!

My wife will be reading your PM after she gets up.

Thanks and we'll be responding!

PEACE!

[TygrBright]

67. Congrats, MarianJack... What a wonderful discovery!

I've been helping people start charities for more than 20 years. There is nothing like the passion that inspires people to create something that makes the world a better place.

Whether you actually manage to start a charity or not, this Christmas has changed how you'll look at things for the rest of your life. And that change will influence your decisions. And your decisions will influence the world in ways you can't even begin to imagine.

BEST of luck to you and best wishes for all the hope and promise of 2009 to materialize even bigger and better than you can imagine!

And thanks for sharing your story.

appreciatively,
Bright

[MarianJack]

72. Thanks for your kind words, TygrBright!

Would you mind if I PM'd you for some pointers?

PEACE!

[TygrBright]

87. Wouldn't mind a bit!

Please feel free!

encouragingly,
Bright

[davidwparker]

75. Someone on C-SPAN just said 'love' is spelled G-I-V-E. No doubt this is

why your Christmas was blessed.

Happy New Year.

[MarianJack]

79. I LIKE that!

I'm going to use it.

THANKS!

Peace!

[Kajsa]

77. MarianJack, this is what Christmas is all about.

You and your family are beautiful, giving people
who touch many lives.

Thank you so much!

:hug: :grouphug:

Sorry I'm too late to recommend this, as I wish
I could R this one hundred times.

:)

[MarianJack]

80. Thank You, Kajsa,...

...but we're just average people trying to do a good thing.

My wife however, IS very beautiful! And the little girls in 3rd grade think my son is tops!

PEACE!

[happygoluckytoyou]

78. I didnt have the money to do all that-- BUT I DID SLAM A DOOR ON A REPUBLICAN CARRYING FOOD AT MCDs

I heard the jackass complaining about OBAMA at the counter, waited until she was leaving, and dropped the door.......
SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN AN ANGEL GOT ITS' WINGS !!!!!

[Raksha]

81. Too late to recommend, but kicking anyway...

What a wonderful story! Last week I had to pay a visit to a local food bank, because I was flat broke and really needed whatever they could give me. It turned out to be much better than I expected, and I still have some left...thanks to beautiful people like you and your family.

Naturally I'd MUCH rather be a donor than a recipient (and I did donate a Barbie doll I decided I couldn't sell on eBay), but what can I say? I'm so grateful that food bank was there when I needed it.

Someone who was a regular there said it's like the New Testament story of the loaves and fishes: Every week they are afraid of running out of food and having to turn people away, but it never happens. Something always comes through at the last minute, and they haven't had to turn anyone away yet.

Thank you again for sharing that wonderful story...and for being such a beautiful caring person.

[MarianJack]

84. Someday soon,...

...you WILL be able to be a doner.

Also, just think how happy some little girl was when she got that Barbie!

PEACE!

[Gormy Cuss]

82. Merry Christmas, MarianJack to you and your family.

What a wonderful lesson for your son too.

[MarianJack]

85. Our son gives us some lessons, too!

Whenever we're in a McDonalds or similar place, if he sees a homeless person he always asks if we can buy them some food.

We usually treat that person to a couple of double chgeeseburgers, fries & coffee. We pay and have the person behind the counter give the meal because we don't want the person to know it came from us.

Happy New Year!

PEACE!