Amy & Aron's

Over the past few years, I have been so blessed to share my personal adventures with you. The little things that have impacted me in tremendous ways. From our daughter's adoption, Aron's disabilities, me being cancer free, and to now, my best Christmas ever. I am so blessed to have all of you to share with.

Christmas being just 5 days away, it seems like this is about right, the 25th anniversary of the knock on the door that changed my life forever. This story is honestly one of the reasons that I am the way I am. Please read with a light heart and understanding as this a very personal thing to share.

So, the setting of this story is Joliet IL the Christmas season of 1991. I was 10 years old. My mom was pregnant with my brother. She was so sick, we were more worried about her than the fact that there was no Christmas happening. My dad had died a few years before that so the magic of the season was already slim. To be honest, I was so afraid of losing my mom too. The holiday seemed like it was so far down the list of important things.

With mom on bed rest, strict bed rest, she wasn't working and he only income was the social security check for my sister and I. We were poor. I don't mean like "no phone time" poor but "Ramen is gourmet" poor. It was a hard time for our family. We understood it though. There was always next year, right?

I know my mom was sad about the circumstance but there was nothing that she could do. We were sad that she was sad but mom, if you're reading this, we were ok. We loved you more. But it happened. The magic really happened.

So, one day, there was a knock (the knock that changed everything) on the door and mom went downstairs to get it. I was a nosy kid, I always went with her to see what was going on. It was rare for us to have visitors so I wanted to see who it was.

She got all the way down there and there was no one there. What was in their place were bags and bags of stuff. All of the stuff that makes the holidays in kids eyes. There was so much food for our Christmas Dinner. These beautiful strangers remembered everything!! These strangers left a note. The note talked about paying it forward when we were able. All of this love, all of the thought? They must have known us somehow.



Were these people once like us? Were they struggling in their own way and a kind soul helped them on their journey? Were these people just regular people like us that finally got to a point where they could make it happen for another stranger?  Did they have a calling in their hearts to do something amazing for a complete stranger?

I was excited like, super excited but my mom, she was happy, relieved, you name it! She was a wreck but a beautiful wreck. Her Christmas wish was granted. Her kids were going to have Christmas even though we didn't think it was going to happen, we were able to celebrate. These strangers left so much more than food and gifts at our door that day.

They left a family shocked and inspired to do beautiful things.

I was filled with a passion to help others when I can. To go out of my way for situations that I may or may not understand. To accept what is and try to make it better, even if I have no personal gain. It feeds something in my soul. I finally have the opportunity to "Pay it forward" to the magnitude I have longed for.

I don't remember exactly what they brought. I don't remember the specific toys, games, or clothes. I don't remember exactly the food, I just remember that it was a real Christmas. Like a Christmas before all the bad stuff happened.

To the people that made magic in my heart and showed me at such a young age that miracles do happen. I love you for the inspiration you gave me. I don't know that I would be as understanding or patient without that on knock on the door, 25 years ago.

This Christmas, we heard of a small family going through their own personal journey and we wanted to help. We wanted to be a part of their peace of mind. We wanted to let them know that we knew of their struggle and it would be ok.

Just to start out, we went and bought a few gifts but quickly realized that we couldn't afford to do it all alone. Not the way we wanted to do it, anyway. What did I do? I reached out to a few companies that I thought might be able to help us with the heartfelt gift we wanted to give.



I needed this family to feel the warmth of the holidays. We had such an amazing turn out with all of the companies, I couldn't believe it. I don't even know how many times I have cried over the boxes of gifts over the last few days.

We got them the grocery card so they can pick the best stuff for them for their Christmas dinner.

All of the companies were amazing I want to say thank you again for all of you that participated. I know that so many more of you wanted to but shipping prevented that, sorry for the short notice. I appreciate all of you and your hard work and acknowledgment.

Tasty Kake


MGA Entertainment

Project MC2



 Num Noms



LOL Surprise



Strictly Briks




Maze O


Top Trumps




Blendy Pens


Coop Sports



Identity Games


Bobbi Toads Shoes




SackPals





WowWee


Chippies
Fingerlings
Magnaflex
RoboSapien
Mip Turbo Dave




Thanks again for working with us to make this holiday season amazing for someone else.