Help for family was holiday blessing
This thank-you note is in regard to the letter of mine that was published in Fence Post on Dec. 9. You wouldn't believe the amount of kindness and generosity people have shown complete strangers who had a really rough year.
I quite literally received Christmas cards from people telling us that they were saying prayers for us. In one envelope was a little yellow sheet of paper from a lady who would only call herself “Sandy”; she enclosed three gift cards to help with groceries and Christmas presents for the kids. Another person actually tracked down our mail carrier and handed him a gift card, telling him that it needed to remain anonymous.
Another lady called the Daily Herald and asked for my home number; so the newspaper called me to ask if I minded. I gave permission, and the next thing I knew, a very nice lady named Colette called. She got together with some friends and neighbors to see what they could do to help out.
This really was a season of miracles. The Deputy Police Chief of Vernon Hills came for a visit and to take my boys shopping for shoes and cold weather exercise gear so they can keep training through the winter in order to prepare for Boot Camp. The officer also made sure that there was a gift card for our youngest child who wasn't home when he had picked the boys up. The mayor of Vernon Hills apparently took an interest in the letter as well.
This whole thing snowballed, and to be honest, it was more than a little intimidating. But it also showed our whole family that kindness and compassion still have a place in this world.
There are two very special little angels that I can't leave out of this note — Mollie and Connor. They made beautiful little Christmas cards for us to enjoy, and I think they may have helped to make some of the cookies that were delivered on platters.
It was never my intention of asking for help when I wrote that letter. It had been written out of frustration. But when other people read the letter, it took on a life of its own, and I really can't express just how much we appreciate such kindness and genuine compassion that has been shown to us. Thank you, all!
Sue McCracken
Vernon Hills