Tags
alone, caring, Christmas, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, generosity, kindness, love, Mailbox
I know, I know – Christmas is three months away but this story isn’t really about Christmas. It’s about an act of kindness that I will never forget as long as I live.
Let me take you back to Christmas Eve 1993. I was the single parent of a beautiful one-month-old daughter who just happened to be colicky and not sleeping well at night. Obviously I hadn’t been sleeping well either.
It was almost midnight and my sweet baby would cry every time I tried to lay her down.
When I tried to lay her down for the umpteenth time that night, she began crying again. I was tired and needed a break.
So I walked out of her room, grabbed my journal and pen and slipped out my apartment door.
I sat on the stairs in the hallway and opened my journal. I began to write while my baby cried.
I asked God – no – I begged him to let my baby and me sleep. My tears fell on the page and smudged my words.
What was I going to do? I was struggling financially and was worried about how I would pay the rent and buy supplies.
I felt like a failure. I felt incompetent and foolish. But worse yet, I was too proud to ask for help. Our situation was hopeless.
I had this little person to take care of and I wasn’t doing a very good job. What kind of mother was I?
I couldn’t remember a time when I felt more desperate and afraid.
About twenty minutes had passed and my little girl was still crying ,so I dried my eyes and slipped back into our apartment.
I picked up my baby and rocked her.
Eventually she fell asleep and I plopped down beside her in my bed and fell asleep.
~
When I woke up it was 8:00 am – we had slept almost eight hours!
I tip-toed out of my room, leaving my girl asleep on the bed and poured myself a coffee.
“Check your mailbox,” said this voice in my head.
Maybe I should I thought, perhaps my parents sent a card with money in it. (They often did this when I needed money the most – it really was quite remarkable – as if they knew).
But no, I reasoned with myself; it’s Christmas Day, there won’t be any mail.
But the nagging voice wouldn’t stop so I grabbed my key and went out into the hallway, down the stairs, to the mailbox.
My mailbox is a typical apartment mailbox.
There are only two people who can unlock it – me and the Mailman.
I took a deep breath and opened the mailbox.
Inside, I saw a white bulging envelope.
At first I just stared at it, not believing it was actually there.
I reached in and took it out.
Written on the outside of the envelope was: Merry Christmas Diana and Michaela.
Nothing else, no address, no stamp.
I locked the mailbox and ran up the stairs back to my apartment. Once inside, I sat down and opened it.
There was a Christmas card inside and about $400.
Tears streamed down my face as I began to read the card. It said something like:
Dear Diana, I know you’re scared. I know that you feel like you’re alone. But believe me when I tell you – you are not alone. And I want you to know that everything is going to be okay.
Merry Christmas to you and Michaela
I love you, Jesus
Friends, I don’t know who sent this card.
I don’t know how, or if they bribed the mailman.
But their kindness and the love that motivated them to reach out to me was nothing less than a miracle.
Do you have a story about how someone touched your life with kindness?
Or a story where you made a world of difference for someone else?
lisakunk said:
I always feel a little uneasy sharing this story knowing how many people are praying for fertility and for babies but the gist is this. After by some miracle my first daughter squeezed through a barely open Fallopian Tube, we really wanted another child. However, I kept having tubal pregnancies and miscarriages. In the middle of the nights, recovering from my last tubal pregnancy surgery, I sat writing and crying. More like wailing. My body was worn out and aching and my heart was shattered. The last line of my writing said, “Lord, after I experienced colick with our first, I became afraid of having twins, afraid I couldn’t handle it. Now, if you want to give me three, that would be great.”
The rest of the story is that thanks to giving up our screen porch dreams, we scrounged up enough money for one round of IVF. Our triplets are nineteen years old now. They are my miracle.
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dianasschwenk said:
A beautiful story Lisa, thanks for sharing it here. ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
What a beauty of a story, a true miracle for you, Diana. Thanks for sharing it again for those who weren’t here the first time. 🎄 I’m rather glad you never found out who did it. Even more special.
I’ve been around a bit, and have heard so many stories. One of the most moving was from a landlady of ours who had retired and was living on a fixed income. She had unexpected family company arrive one Easter weekend and didn’t have enough food to accommodate them all. Every time she filled a platter and went back to her kitchen, there was more food. She called it her loaves and fishes miracle. I’m a believer. 🎄
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dianasschwenk said:
Amazing – thanks for sharing this story Van!
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Jean said:
That’s a wonderful miracle story, Diana.
I did have an experience just 3 days ago. I was on the Air Canada plane for Vancouver. Before the plane took off in 10 min., my name was called over the plane intercom for me to see a flight attendant immediately.
They gave me my mini-purse containing money, bank card and house keys ..someone had turned it in to Air Canada staff. I must have left it behind on a lounge waiting seat at Calgary Airport. So the speed of staff at ticket counter, plus flight deck staff got..it to me before we flew off.
🙂 I sent email thanking air Canada staff.
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dianasschwenk said:
Love when stuff like that happens Jean!
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dianasschwenk said:
Reblogged this on talktodiana and commented:
I recently read a quote that said, “Enough is like a feast.”
Having worked in the non profit sector for 25+ years, I know this to be true. But not just from the ‘providing services’ side, also from the ‘being helped’ side; as in this Christmas story I shared two years ago.
Never underestimate the impact of your acts of kindness. They are like a feast to the receiver.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
Love this story, Diana!
Isn’t it amazing how long one beautiful gesture lasts?
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dianasschwenk said:
I will never forget it Denise!
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markbialczak said:
God blessed everybody on both sides of this Christmas tale, Diana. Thank you for bringing me back to a time before I know you, my friend. And happy days were ahead, weren’t they? You learned so well from that experience.
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dianasschwenk said:
It was humbling Mark. It is easier for me to be in position of giving. Learning to receive is a life-long journey for me. This particular time, I was so grateful!
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markbialczak said:
You needed, somebody heard, and it was perfect, Diana.
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Minuscule Moments said:
Beautiful, Im all in a tingle Diana God really does listen when we pray xxx.
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dianasschwenk said:
Kath it’s an amazing story that I just happened to live!
Diana xo
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purringly said:
Heartwarming story! Did you ever find out?
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Rebekah! No, I never found out who, but I think that makes it all the more special!
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MICHAELA said:
You never told me that… That’s crazy. Love you mom
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dianasschwenk said:
Really? I thought I had…. (smiling) I love you too!
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dianasschwenk said:
If I made you feel like you were along for the experience, I hope you also felt the gratefulness and wonderment of this moment. As always, thank you for stopping by, it’s always a pleasure to have you here. 🙂
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russtowne said:
Thank you for sharing this beautiful, powerful, inspiring, and touching story. Thank you for taking me with you as you sat on those on those stairs, went to your mailbox, opened the envelope, and read the note. Those feelings you shared are likely to linger in my heart and memory for a long time.
Russ
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mindfuldiary said:
Huge respct to all the single mums! Can’t even begin to imagine or understand how you do it! Wow! Diana, this story simply gives hope to hope that there is kindness in the world. I love the story, but even more so the selfless act of this kind person and your courage. Thank you so much for sharing it.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much for your kind words!
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elizabeth2560 said:
Someone dropped off a food hamper for my mother the Christmas after my father had died. It made that Christmas just that little bit easier for her. The gesture stuck in my mind and I always do try and contribute to the local charity drives at Christmas time 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) that’s awesome!
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stuffitellmysister said:
Beautiful story you’ve shared. We have been in a similar situation….a reminder that God’s angels are among us when we need Him most ♥
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dianasschwenk said:
yes, for sure – would love to hear your story. 🙂
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Wyrd Smythe said:
It’s the stories like this that help remind us that, whatever else is true, there is much good in the world, and caring people are everywhere.
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dianasschwenk said:
So true Smitty!
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Katie said:
I felt like I was in an episode of Touched By an Angle once. I may have to write a post about it. Thanks for the story 8)
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh I would love to read about that Katie!
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The Good Greatsby said:
Thanks for sharing. I’ll never forget those moments in my life when someone provided help at a desperate time.
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dianasschwenk said:
Me neither – we people need each other, thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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mrs fringe said:
Simply beautiful. It isn’t Christmas, but I needed it today. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much! ❤
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Mark Kaplowitz said:
That’s a Christmas miracle if I ever heard one. Thank you for sharing your inspiring tale. I really like how you went to your journal as a relief.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Mark. Love that you stopped by to read my story. Writing has often helped me because it helps me let go of things and takes away their power of over me…
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joannerambling said:
I have no story like this but wow what a blessing and something we and by we I mean me and all your blog friends love hearing………..
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m glad you liked it Joanne! xo
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The Water Bearer said:
That was a wonderful post, a story of a miracle. Thank you for sharing it with us! Blessings to you!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you!
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changeforbetterme said:
Wonderfully moving story! I love when things like this happen to good people. Thanks so much for sharing! I have a few stories like that, but I love yours so much! Puts my faith in people back again. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
People are awesome! I would love to hear one of your stories!
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artsifrtsy said:
Wonderful story, made me get teary. I love when things come through like that! It’s so heartwarming.
I have a similar story. It was also in 1993. I had been ill – in and out of the hospital, multiple surgeries over the course of about 3 years. Every payday I made my house and car payments and pay my utilities – then I would pay a little bit on the hospital, doctors, labs, specialists, and pharmacy bills – this would leave me about $30-40 to eat on until the next payday. I could see no end to this. Every few months I would take a deferment on the car payment to give myself a bit of breathing room. I had to go down to the credit union in person to request the deferral – basically I would pay the month’s interest and add another month to the term of the loan. I went to get the deferment and the clerk asked my why I would want one – I was paid up for both this month and next. I have no idea who made those payments. I was very self-conscious about my debt and can’t recall telling anyone.
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dianasschwenk said:
I love that someone did that for you. Perhaps you will or have been able to do something like that for someone else one day. 🙂
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
what a wonderful random act of kindness 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, I sure thought so!
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billgncs said:
I am glad you shared that story. It really touched me. Thank you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Bill. The very personal stories always take a lot of courage for me to share so I’m glad it touched you. 🙂
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billgncs said:
Yes, it is hard to let someone else in to know we had moments like that. But it gives me hope for the future.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes! That’s definitely the affect it has on me.
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Magnolia Beginnings said:
Yes, I do have a story like that. It was Easter morning with a anonymous basket. A new peice of clothing, shirts for the boys and dresses for the girls, a little bit of candy and an envelope of money along with an unsigned card. This was in a state where I didn’t know anyone and it was definitely hand delivered. Doesn’t it make you want to pass it on now? I had completely forgotten about this. Thanks for reminding me.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Beautiful story, thanks for sharing it. And yes on the ‘passing it on’!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Sounds like you had an angel and a Christmas miracle…touching story!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, sure felt like it!
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Louise G. said:
Oh my Diana. Your story brought tears to my eyes this close to snowy morning which feels like maybe it is Christmas. What a beautiful story.
Thank you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise. It gave me an extra measure of oomphf and energy when planning Christmas for people living in homelessness. Although I was never homeless, I know first hand how generosity at Christmas makes a difference.
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jmgoyder said:
How wonderful this story is, Diana – I am so moved. Michaela is about Ming’s age. I love the way you tell this!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Julie! Yes I have noticed they are about the same age and have often thought about that. xo
Diana
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cyclingrandma said:
What an amazing story. Love your daughter’s name. Perhaps I haven’t made a “world” of difference but I do hope I touched peoples’ lives as a teacher. A few years ago I tutored two boys who had grown up in Liberia and Ghana and hadn’t ever been to school. They spoke English but didn’t read. They were brothers, 10 and 12. By the end of the year, they were reading and writing. I have the thank you notes they wrote me.
I guess I was very lucky myself- my family has always been there for me.
Touching post, Diana, thanks.
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow! In today’s world knowing how to read makes a huge difference! I have always respected teachers, it’s a worthy and esteemed profession. I think you made a huge difference. Bravo!
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