Wednesday, December 23, 2009

It all depends on the viewpoint

IMG_7579 I’m not going to lie to you.  Christmas can be a tough time of the year for me.  Thirty years ago, my father died the day after Christmas.  It is impossible to think of Christmas without remembering that loss.  His death forever changed the landscape of my childhood.
Still, I revel in the joy that can be found in the season.  I am easily moved to tears when I hear of random acts of kindness.
One of my little students, Mr. Hero, has leukemia.  He has been responding well to treatment and we even anticipate his return to school sometime in January.  One of his friends, who also has leukemia, attends a neighboring school and is not doing very well.  In fact, the family is preparing to bring her home for her final days. 
My loss pales in comparison to what these parents must be feeling. 
Still, this little 9 year old girl has hopes and dreams.  One of her final wishes is to receive cards from all over the world.  I know this is a clichéd wish – but it is what this child wants.  If you are in a position to mail a card to this child, please indicate so in a comment or email and I will send the child’s name and address to you.
Remember to treasure your loved ones, today and every day.

92 comments:

Cristin said...

Graham and I would love to send her a card...

gotta go bawl my eyes out whilst squeezing my little girl now...

Ash said...

Dallas isn't too exotic, but bring on the address. The card will be in the mail minutes later.

Merry Christmas dear Beth. Thanks for the perspective.

Leslie Hanna said...

I can send her one from Maryland. I also know people in Holland, Germany and Canada (it really is another country, you know), so if you'd be okay with it, I can pass along the info to them once you send it to me.

Laura Marchant said...

I would love too! Send me the info.
Merry Christmas

CiCi said...

I would so love to send her a card.
Please email me codacici at gmail.

Kristina P. said...

I will totally send a card.

justsomethoughts... said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
justsomethoughts... said...

i can put in my two cents

thanks for passing this along and for caring

Pseudo said...

I would love to send a card. Something tropical from Hawaii.

Thank-you Beth for the perspective this morning.

Chief said...

send me the info. The whole family will send her one

Brian Miller said...

count me in...

anything to give her a smile...

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Post cards?
Martha's Vineyard is not exactly "all over the world," but I'd love to send her a beautiful one of the sea or ships.

cheatymoon said...

Would love to send her a card. xo

Matty said...

I'll send her one from outside Philadelphia.

SpoiledBrat said...

would love to send card, please send address

Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com said...

And this reminds me of a quote I read on someone else's blog....

"every day is a present"

Please send me her address, I would love to send her something.

Deb said...

that is so like you to turn any sadness you might feel for yourself into an act of kindness for someone else.

i'd love to send a card from virginia.

Santa Claus said...

HO HO HO! Merry Christmas from me and Otin!

Send Otin the address!!! And the information, name and such. I am busy delivering gifts, but Otin will make time for this.

Nancy said...

Beth, I'd love to send a card to this little girl. Please give me the scoop, and I'll do so ASAP. Nancy

The Bus Driver said...

hey would love to send her a card and will get my friends to do so too.

busdriverquestions@gmail.com

Jaime said...

looks like you're getting a lot of people to fulfill her wish - add me to the list.

followthatdog said...

I will happily mail a card, and I will post a link to this post on my blog asking others to do the same.

mommy (at) mommyneedsalatte (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Such a sad story. So unfair for someone so young. I can send a card from New Hampshire.

Thanks for your comment on my blog.

bernthis said...

absolutely. Send me her address. What a beautiful thing to do My thoughts are with her and her family.

xo

Lori said...

Of course I would love to send a card. I am thankful for people like you! XX Lori

Jason said...

I really like your blog. I am a first-time visitor, but I observe every site I submit a comment to. I have a humor blog myself, which I hope to be a top place for people to come and laugh. Life is hard enough and you sometimes need to just sit back and laugh a little.

I'd like to exchange links with you to help spread traffic around to each. Keep up the good work. You can contact me by simply placing a comment on my site.

Happy Holidays!

Jason
HilariousHeadlines.com

Wanda said...

I definitely want to send her a card. Email me her information, please.

Wanda@dglsystems.org

Anonymous said...

I'd love to send her a card. And I'm thinking of you during this time too!

Vodka Mom said...

Merry Christmas, my friend. Send me the address, please. xoxoxox

Cid said...

Yes please send me the address, the Great White North may not be very exotic but we do have a mighty fine postal service.

Stacy Uncorked said...

Please send me the address - I would love to send her a card.

((HUGZ!!))

Woo222 said...

I'll send her one from Iowa. Thanks for sharing this! ~Susan

The Good Cook said...

Send me her address, my email address is:

thegoodcooknj@comcast.net

I can have MI, SC, TX, FL, PA and NJ all mail her cards.

God Bless and I will keep this little one in my prayers.

Cora said...

Please count me in! I know it's too late to get the card to her by Christmas, but I can get it to her by New Year's Eve.

corastovall (at) hotmail (dot) com

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Beth, I'm so sorry for you loss. Even after all these years, I know it is so hard. This is me sending you big Christmas HUGS!

Please send me the name and address of this precious child. I would love to send a card and will be honored to play a small part in fulfilling her wishes.

God bless you and yours.

Love and Hugs, SMB

Where in the world is Jefferson City, Missouri said...

I want to send her a card. If this will make her day. I just finish watching my sisters keeper and It was so moving. I also had a little girl in my life that died of Lukemia. She taught us all so much. So please send me her address. What a kind thing for you to do.....

Sue said...

The one thing I LOVE about the blogging world is how it can bring a big group of people together to help others. Please, by all means, send me this little angels address, I would love to send her a card. Take care, Sue

cradealers at aol

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Beth, I would LOVE to send a card! Send the address along and I will have it in the mail PRONTO!

Jill from The Glen

Anonymous said...

Hi! I was brought here through Otin's blog.

Beth, I would love to send her a card. I'm in Mexico, State of Yucatan to be exact, please do send me the address it will be a pleasure. :)

Michele said...

I would be honored to send this little girl a card. I'll paint something up ASAP!

Lisa said...

Please send me her address. My e-mail is zoneout415@gmail.com.

I'm here because of another kind soul name Otin.

js0512 said...

I would love to send her a card and have my daughter draw a picture for her. I found you through Vodka Mom and this both made me cry and made me smile. My email is js0512@gmail.com

Drahdrah said...

dimifrandz@gmail.com
I'll send a card

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Hi, I came over from Otin and I would love to send a card. My e-mail is kathy.elias@yahoo.com I own a campground and will give cards to my travelers to send out from different places. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

I'll send a card!

Mike said...

Just updating Beth, My stuff is on the way to her!

anon said...

I'd love to send a card. My e addy:
rd7332@gmail.com

iasa said...

We be happy to send he one from belize.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

I'd love to send a card.
Hugs and a Happy Christmas to you and your family!

Sprite's Keeper said...

John, Sprite and I are in! Anything to help make a dream come true!

Joanna Jenkins said...

I'm stopping over from Otin's.

YES! I would love to send a card. Please send me the address at your convenience.

Merry Christmas. This is a lovely and kind thing to do.

xo

Fragrant Liar said...

Absolutely. Send me that little sweetum's address. We will send a lovely family card from all of us here in Austin.

I know what you mean about the holidays when you are left thinking about and missing the people who are no longer with you -- in my case, my baby sister.

Hugs and Merry Christmas, Beth!

gayle said...

Sent by Otin....I would love to send her a card!!

Felicitas said...

Hi Beth,
I would love to send her a card. My email address is: felicitas@sympatico.ca

Holiday blessings to you and your family!

Ronda Laveen said...

Count me in. Otin sent me.

Mrs. M said...

My daughter and I would be happy to send a card from Bellingham, WA. :)

Michelle said...

I will send a card from Springfield, IL.

Anonymous said...

I would love to send her a card from England...

Faded Charm said...

Do you think it would be too late to send a card to this little girl? I have a nine year old daughter and this breaks my heart. She realy likes to write and she might want to send her something. Please let me know.

Thank you and I hope you have a nice Christmas this year. So sorry for your loss.

Kathleen

Travel & Dive Girl said...

You are doing a wonderful thing and I will certainly send a card from Canada...

traveldivegirl@gmail.com

Merideth in Wyoming said...

I would love to send her a card -- it won't make it by Christmas but I'll send it anyway! Please send me the address. msears@rtconnect.net

Artsnark said...

I'm a bit late but would like send a card
artsnark at verizon dot net

Mango Girl said...

Done deal!

Cait said...

I'll send her her a card; sorry it's a little late with Christmas tomorrow but still!

Cait

Becca said...

I'd like to help the little girl collect cards please :)

Mr. Condescending said...

I will send her one, I'm so upset over this :(

Trailerfun@gmail

Sharon Rose said...

I'd like to send an email or card which ever you think she would like best even though it is the night before Christmas.

What an incredible request from a sweet little angel girl! And what an incredible Angel you are for helping make this wish come true.

LadyFi said...

I live in Sweden and would love to send her one of my own cards - with photos of Swedish stuff.

You can see my e-mail when reading my comments. Drop me a line with her address and I'll send something to her.

So sorry indeed to hear about her.

Unknown said...

I would love to send this little girl a card....am just from Canada, not that exotic, but it is what I can do...

Emily said...

Would love to send a card. I'm in Arkansas - not too far, but willing nonetheless.

Real Live Lesbian said...

I'm here from Vodka Mom's house. Nashville, TN IS very exotic, so I'd be happy to help!

Carma Sez said...

please send me her info.

So sad for both these precious children...

Lisa Ursu said...

Hello there, and Merry Christmas from Canada. I would love to send this little girl a card.

All the best to you.

Baino said...

Happy to send some stuff from down under.

Baino said...

Happy to send some stuff from down under.

essbesee said...

so sorry about your father, I know how that is, mine died 27 years ago two days before July 4th. I think you win for shittiest holiday for a father to die near. Not that there is ever a good time. I'd love to send that little girl a card from NC. Hope your new year's is wonderful. xo, s

Jan said...

Beth, I'll be more than happy to send this little girl a card.

MafiosaGrrl said...

I would love to send a card to her! I am from California, so not to to worldly, but it'll be darned cute!
Please send me her address ASAP

MafiosaGrrl@aol.com

Emma Powick said...

Such a sad story! I'm in Sydney Australia, email me the addy and I'll post something aussie!

TheHurt said...

Hello, Scotland calling! Just read through my reader and came to your post. I'd also like to pitch in with a postcard from bonnie ol' Scotland!

xx

Tracey said...

I live in maine and would love to send a card to this special little one...an angel of God... Gingey let me know. Thank you!

June said...

Hi from June in England, i would like to send a card too. Please send the address
thanks
june

Glenda-TwoCoolTexans said...

I will pray and send her a card if you let me have the address.

Brenda Lynn said...

I would like to send along a card and prayer also.

Jessie said...

How about a card from Mississippi? I'd love to send one. My email is jbguess(at)gmail(dot)com

naomi orana said...

My children and I would love to send her a card from Tasmania, Australia.Wonderful :)
naomiorana@hotmail.com

Karen said...

I would love to send a card, even if it is just from Texas and Louisiana. Send me the address.

twistedtendrils@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

It would be my absolute pleasure to send her a card from Toronto. My e-mail is bichygrl_74@hotmail.com

Carmen said...

Just came over from Gingeyginge's blog. I would love to send the little girl a card from Kent in England.

~lifedramatic~ said...

I'd love to send her a card from Florida. Charlene

OHN said...

I came here through Tiptoeing. Is it too late to send cards? I will send you an email with my email address, as I don't post it on my blog.

Having had a rocky week with my family, it pales in comparison to what this family is enduring. Heartbreaking.

Also, I will be back when I get a few minutes to start near the beginning :)

Anonymous said...

I linked to you from Smart Mouth Broad. I realize it's way past Christmas but I'd love to send a card. You can email me the address to dkunis@gmail.com

Thanks for posting.