posted
This time of the year you hear a lot of stories about good people (like the Butlers) so I want to tell you another one. This person has been special to me for the majority of my life - she's my wife Jeanne.
A few weeks ago Jeanne was at the grocery store buying five turkeys with the trimmings. No, we are not that big of Thanksgiving eaters, one for us and the other four were for the staff of cleaning folks that she oversees at our church.
As a young lady was helping her take the baskets out to the car, Jeanne began a conversation with her about Thanksgiving. (You would have to know that Jeanne never meets a stranger.) She found out that this was the first day on the job for the young mother and that she was not going to have a very good Thanksgiving.
It seems that her husband was of the "jerk" type and had recently left her and her 20 month old daughter. Before he left he took everything they owned out into the yard and set it on fire. Everything, including their clothes and the child's toys. She was left with nothing. Through the help of some friends she was able to get into some low income government housing but had no car, no furniture, and no job (until that day).
The next morning I mentioned this situation to a group of men with whom I have breakfast every Tuesday morning. Suddenly, these guys were giving me bills. That afternoon Jeanne and I took this young mother $200 in cash to help her over the hump just a little.
The next week these guys donated money for some toys for the little girl for Christmas. And Jeanne is seeing that she has food and the essentials until her paychecks start coming in.
Folks at church have donated some furniture and bought her a microwave. She is still walking to work (about two miles) but is getting some rides from co-workers and friends.
Jeanne went over to her house Saturday to take some things and to see what was needed for the daughter for Christmas. The young woman had baked a cake for us.
I am fortunate to be married to a great lady with a tender heart. The good news is that there are people like her all over the world that go out of their way to help others. They do it without a thought of getting anything in return. And most of what they do is very little compared to the size of the problem, but they do something and that is what counts.
Have a great Christmas....and remember those that need a little extra hand. You will be rewarded for every effort.
[ December 05, 2005, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Well, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Jeanne has herself a very special husband too. That's a very sweet thing that you 2 did. I'd expect nothing less of you.
As for the sperm donor, lets hope karma catches up with him and quickly..preferably in the form of a convoy of mack trucks as he's walking across the street.
Nettie, don't be hogging those kleenex, send some this way too.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Thanks for sharing Raymond! I think I like Jeanne even more than you now.
At our house we have stopped giving Christmas presents to each other for a number of years. Our kids are in on the scheme too. Instead, we adopt a family anonamously (via the Salvation Army) and do our very best to make their Christmas just a little brighter.
We devote an afternoon and evening as a family, and go absolutely nuts shopping for the items on their list and much, much more. Generally, we are provided with the ages and interests of the kids. Its wonderful fun to fill many shopping carts full of treasures, buying things we know our adopted family simply can't on their own. We tend to go overboard I'm sure, but we can't help it.
Its a tradition we look forward to each year as Christmas approaches. On Christmas morning the family is in our thoughts and prayers. We can just imagine the delighted looks on the kid's faces and the joy of the parent(s) seeing their kids get their hearts desire. We also fill up a number of shopping carts with groceries for the family instead of just the small list provided by Sally Anne.
We'll never know who it is we help each year, and they will never know us. It doesn't matter in the least. They know someone cares. And we know someone elses Christmas was a little brighter.
Its much more fun than unwrapping presents Christmas morning.
Try it for yourselves!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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We all have it inside us...we just need to let it out.
The Universe is a better place because of it.
Thanks
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Acts like these go way past filling immediate needs. When people are down and out, they feel so alone in their situation. There is no better gift than to let people know that they are NOT alone. That there ARE people who care.
So, pass the kleenex over here, too. I like these kind of tears.
posted
Old Bill Riedel got lucky too, the new (two years already) lady in my life devotes all of December and January each year with her church and feeds the homeless. Not to mention all the care she gives to friends in need. It really isn't such a bad world after all.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Ray, Fantastic story...Makes me very thankful for what I have...and happy for you and the fine woman you have. (Side Note) I have ruined several perfectly servicable key boards that I have spit coffee all over laughing at some of the threads here and other places on the web. The one I was useing this morning surrendered to salty tears. Don't know why your particular story tore me up so deeply and instantly...but it did... Rather unseemly for an old geezer to be sobbing at his keyboard...
-------------------- William "Irish" Holohan Resting...Read "Between Jobs." Marlboro, MA 01752 email: firemap1@aol.com Posts: 1110 | From: Marlboro, MA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I'm blessed also. My wife has a heart of gold much like Jeanne does. It catches people off guard but it sure makes the days go by easier, doesn't it?
Women are amazing creatures. My Dad always told me to respect 3 things in your life: 1) Artists 2) God 3) Women
Why? He said, "They are the only beings with the ability to create. And with women, they create life so they're actually closer to God". Cool guy, huh? And now I have the same reverence for all women who deserve that respect. I am passing that wisdom on to my own son.
What a great story at a terrific time of year. Thanks for sharing.
P.S. - And it is comforting to know that when I get closer to your age - and Riedel's age - that I'll still be able to feel just as strongly and passionately about my wife, my work and my family. True love is timeless and knows no boundaries, I guess.
Lucky us.
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by William Holohan: Ray, Fantastic story...Makes me very thankful for what I have...and happy for you and the fine woman you have. (Side Note) I have ruined several perfectly servicable key boards that I have spit coffee all over laughing at some of the threads here and other places on the web. The one I was useing this morning surrendered to salty tears. Don't know why your particular story tore me up so deeply and instantly...but it did... Rather unseemly for an old geezer to be sobbing at his keyboard...
posted
Don, Don't know if it's the season, my age, the realization of how truly lucky I have been throughout my life, or what. Never wiped out by a hurricane as you and so many others were. My Dad passed away gently and without a long illness. Never lost my home or business through disaster. Rays post today started a long and happily melancholy stream of memories for me. Don't know why. I guess all old geezers and geezerettes have a day like this. At least I hope they do. Though a little sad at times, well worth the journey back in time to remember the high spots and low ones too. Natural, I suppose, as we really come face to face with the downhill part of our lives.
-------------------- William "Irish" Holohan Resting...Read "Between Jobs." Marlboro, MA 01752 email: firemap1@aol.com Posts: 1110 | From: Marlboro, MA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Mr. Chapman, Thanks for sharing this wonderful tale and how it prompted that grandpa from the tundra to share his family tradition. Giving to those that can never repay is joyus, and giving anonymously makes it even greater. I trust your treasure is awaiting in heaven.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6720 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wow, now that a great Christmas story. Helping and giving to strangers. As they say, "behind every man,,,,,,
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3820 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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OK. I read this post again this morning. Eyes welled over same as yesterday. That's just the most touching, encouraging story I've read or heard in some time.
I should bookmark this thread to read whenever I begin to think this world stinks.
posted
Ray & Jeanne, When we pass on an go to the reward, we will know as we are known. I will know you as you, and so on. What a great promise. I am confident that we are not unlike a garden being tended and raised up for specific purposes. Very long term purposes! I heard a man say that everybody's job will be a "servant of the Lord." It's great to know that we can practice while we're here! I am confident that your bride is practicing for a very specific purpose. Servant of the Lord!.... Isn't it interesting that we spot these things around this holiday most often. Birth being the reason for the season. The good news for that little mom and those kids is that God himself can take the dirty episodes of our lives and turn them under like so much fertilizer, then grow roses right in the middle of what used to be a mess. What a great God. It's best to meet peoples needs first and then minister to the needy. Great job! Ray,I only met you once a long time ago and I know now why I was drawn to you. Seems like signguys run deep and go out to the edges. Nothing better than a rich full life with a "well done good and faithful servant" to punctuate it!
Merry Christmas
-------------------- Larry Williams 184 Camelia St. Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 Posts: 21 | From: Gulf Breeze Fl | Registered: Mar 2005
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