Tis the Season....

[Mrs. Wallnut]

I just had to share this with everyone here.

I was at one of our local grocery stores today and done with my shopping and heading out to the car. Thomas was in the cart eating his cookie that he had gotten at the bakery. As I am walking to the car I see a little red convertible with Santa in it. I show Thomas where Santa is and as the car gets closer to us he slows down and pulls a little closer to us and hands a present, says "Merry Christmas" and drives off.

We get to the car and before I can unload the groceries Thomas wants the present and we unwrap it. Inside the little box is a little blue bear for him. This made my day today.

A rough night at work and being super tired had me feeling a little down, but after this display today I am happy. Thomas is now carrying the bear around the house talking to it and he is even having it help him use the vacuum, .

[gad5264]

Quite the memory for mom and little one for years to come.

[jonmulzer]

That's awesome that a random person was doing such a thing. People have really surprised me this year.

My gf works in the legal department of a major worldwide media company and every year they have a big holiday outing planned in their budget to some really swanky restaurant and then off to a show of some sort. It probably costs $10K every year since they spare no expense and it does make for a nice treat at the end of the year.

This year, HUGE change of plans! For their holiday outing we are all going to have a simple dinner or lunch at someplace a LOT cheaper and then go serve food at a battered women's shelter and donate the money that is leftover to the shelter.

I thought that was quite touching, to give up their swanky outing on the companies dime to give that money to a charity that desperately needs it. Everyone in her legal department gives a lot to charity regardless, but this one really touched me and now the two of us are going to do a lot more volunteer work.

[smchange01]

Sometimes you just have to be there

My wife and I always adopt a family for Christmas, our local radio station has about 3000 families each year that need help. This year we adopted a father and two children, mom deserted them last month. Right after we finished with that I hear from one of my Cub Scouts, I'm a leader, that his family just received a gift card from someone for quite a large some at the local grocer's. I mentioned this to my wife later that evening and she replied "It got there fast." Appearently she has been taking on this extra giving for several years and still balances our accounts. Now "I" know what a great wife I married.

[Ed62]

Glad you were selected, Melissa. You and Thomas both have something to remember.

Ed

[Uncle Cracker]

See? Not all angels wear white and have wings...

[DUD]

I am proud of Santa doing what He did. I am very proud that You and Thomas got to benefit from Santa's good heart. Bill

[OpaDC]

And to those that don't believe in Santa!

Pbtbtbtbtbtbtbtbt!

[crokett]

Great story Melissa. Has he named the bear yet?

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Great story Melissa. Has he named the bear yet?

No he hasn't named the bear yet but he has hauled it all over the house in his dump truck, taken it to bed for a nap with him and taken it with him to get his older brother and sister.

But the cute thing about him taking it to bed for his nap is that I could hear him in there talking to the bear not to be scared it wasn't dark outside yet but he would be there so he (the bear) wouldn't be scared. He also hugs it close and says he loves "his bear" and pretty much hasn't let it out of his sight since receiving the gift.

[JeffW]

Very very cool. Tomorrow, our department is having about 300 children bussed in for a visit with Santa. They are all children from our district that are in need. They will get a present ot two, a photo with Santa and punch and cookies. We have done this now for 8 years. Long day on the feet, but well worth it.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Very very cool. Tomorrow, our department is having about 300 children bussed in for a visit with Santa. They are all children from our district that are in need. They will get a present ot two, a photo with Santa and punch and cookies. We have done this now for 8 years. Long day on the feet, but well worth it.

When I worked at a local store here in town the first Christmas that I worked I heard of a program that is called "Shop With A Cop". The schools and counselors pick kids that are in need and the community donates money to this program. Then they pick a day and the kids get to have breakfast with the officer and Santa I believe. And then they ride in a bus to the store where they get to shop and spend money either on themselves or family members. Watching this happen that first year brought tears to my eyes because many of the kids were buying gifts for parents and siblings and watching them with the officers and at how the officers were with these kids was a wonderful feeling. Now the thing has gotten so big that the local fire fighters are joining in with this and buddying up with the kids. And Jeff it is well worth the feet hurting to see how happy those kids will be.