To all our Secret Santas

I gotta hand it to you, you guys are tricky.  And sweet.  Very very very sweet.

On December 1, we received a package.  The return address was simply "Secret Santa."  I opened it up and found two Christmas CDs.  December 1 was the day after we received Charlie's diagnosis-- a day that was somewhat difficult.  We were trying to figure out what had changed, and what was still the same, if that makes any sense.  This package was a much greater gift than just the two Christmas CDs (though those were pretty good too!).  It was a reminder that someone cared for us, that someone supported us and would be there when we needed it (without even knowing we needed it at that particular moment).  That was something that had not changed.

The next day, we received another package.  And then more packages came.  And more.  And still more.  Almost every day from Dec 1 to Christmas Eve a package or letter arrived.  Since we live in a basement apartment and don't have a separate mailbox, our landlord usually just brings a package down the stairs if one arrives.  Well, they got quite the workout this past month!  Every package was anonymous.  But every package held a very sweet gift-- always something thoughtful.

To be quite honest, for a while it really drove me crazy.  I wanted to find out who each one of you were so that I could properly thank you.  I even typed in the shipping tracking number of many of your packages to USPS's website in the hopes that it would give me a name.  I even Google-Earthed some of your houses because you put return addresses but no name.  I know that one of you just purchased a house in May in Madison (congrats!), but I have no idea who you are.  I did all this while James chided, "Just accept the gift!"  And finally I did.  The large majority of you have me stumped.  I have to be content with offering many prayers of thanks and blessing for "all of our Secret Santas, whoever they might be."  

I wish I could tell you how much this has meant to us.  Charlie had not even been diagnosed when you must have organized this, but it could not have come at a better time.  Before we even had a chance to ask, "Do we have help and support enough to get through this?" you answered.  Overwhelmingly.  

When I realized what was going on, I started keeping a list of all the packages.  I've added it below in case you are interested.

1.  2 Christmas CDs

2. lemon salt scrub (homemade!), a children's book about Bucky the Badger, a sticker and coloring book

3. throat coat tea, little wooden transportation toys (love them!), M&Ms, and a Christmas carol book

4. Christmas hats for each of us, garland, a disposable camera and a gift card to Walgreens (the idea being a Christmas photo shoot :-))

5. animal scrapbooking supplies, and vegan snickerdoodles (whoa, these were tasty, and a Christmas cookie that is very close to my heart)

6. pajamas for both Lucy and Charlie, hot pink ANTM pants (hysterical) and a tie for James

7. 2 very decadent, very delicious vegan cookies and a $15 iTunes giftcard

8. a game for Lucy: "dancing eggs."  This looks so fun!

9. toffee (I have reason to wonder whether or not this was actually part of the Secret Santa or if this was independent but I am including it anyway.)

10. a special candle for St. Lucy's Day and Lindt chocolates

11. coloring books, slinky, silly putty, play dough, Big Bird book, and 50 First Dates

12. pajamas for Charlie, coloring books and crayons, and The Night Before Christmas picture book

13. three Christmas story books

14. Movie passes PLUS a gift card for popcorn and whatever PLUS $20 for a sitter or dinner

15. hot cocoa and three Christmas books

16. a cooperative board game called "Max." (No joke, I was totally eyeing this online just days before it came in the mail)

17. 5 Christmas picture books (Yes, our Christmas book basket is officially packed!)

18. $15

19. a print of 1 Cor 13:4-8 ("Love is..")

20. a children's book about St. Therese (a promise of it... apparently there was a mix-up in the shipping!)

21. a Target gift card

22. veggie chips, vegan chocolate cookies, and Veggie Tales coloring book

(Do you see a pattern?  I do.  Cookies and books.  You guys know us well!)

We've been truly humbled and honored by this grand gesture.  Christmas truly brought many surprises.  Many members of our family also found beautiful and BIG ways to say, "We love you.  We support you."  We only pray that all of you have felt such love this past Christmas as well.  I think we'll always remember this Christmas as one in which we were physically far from home, but felt our family and friends' love for us as clearly as if they were right there hugging us.