About a month ago I met with a friend whom I hadn’t seen since college.  We had kept in touch over the years and he works very close to where I live so we went out to lunch.  It was like 20 years had not passed as we fell right into step with each other.  We talked about our children, his 12 year old daughter and his five year old son, who is the same age as Tyler. We talked more about the battle my family has been fighting, Grant and I s’ illnesses, my disability fight, and all of the money problems and worries associated with our situation.  We had a nice time despite the serious talk and I hope it won’t be another 20 years before we see each other again!

On Monday we got what appeared to be a Christmas card from the Holy Trinity Interparochial School in Westfield, NJ.  Puzzled, I opened the card and found $275 worth of gift cards from Target!

It said that my friend’s daughter was one of their students and had given us our name!!

“The children of Holy Trinity want to brighten your Christmas this year.  Please accept our gift…to purchase something useable for you.  Peace, God Bless you, Sister Maureen Fichner.”

I emailed my friend my stunned thanks for giving them our name and he told me that it was his daughter, “Samantha’s”, idea.  They had prayed for our family at home and Samantha was so touched by our family’s struggles that the next day at school she told her teacher and principal that she was starting a fund for us and asked for their help.

Thank you so much, Samantha.  If you are capable of spearheading something like this at twelve, I can only imagine what you will be able to accomplish when you are a grown-up! And for the children and adults connected to the Holy Trinity Interparochial School in Westfield who donated to help us out, you have my heartfelt thanks.   To give to a family whom you have only heard of is amazing.  How nice to know that someone cares about us! All of you represent the true meaning of the season!

May God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

Love, Emily, Tyler and Grant