“No one has ever become poor by giving.” -Anne Frank

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” -John Bunyan

I already posted her link on Facebook, but I wanted to take the time to talk about it a little more here. Mamalaughlin, with the assistance of a couple of her blog bffs, has created a Holiday Pay It Forward Movement for this year's Christmas season. She has received so many emails from readers who have either shared their own story or have shared a family member's or friend's story. Each day, she's posting three or four of them and these stories are heartbreaking..Some are from parents who have been laid off and need help providing Christmas, some are from families who have lost a parent, some are from families who have a child in need of medical attention with which the parents need financial assistance. These people have no shame in asking for help, nor should they. When your child's well-being is at stake, you probably don't care so much what others think of you.

I, myself, have been reading these stories as they are posted, and will most definitely be sending something to at least one of the families. I have so much in my life to be thankful for, and I have no problem admitting that I take so much for granted. I have a full life, I have enough money to get by, I've never gone without at Christmas. My parents, though some years were not as plentiful as others, have never once not provided a good Christmas. We have always been blessed enough to receive plenty of money to have more than enough presents growing up. So many other families are not so lucky. So many families do not have any help. When I read these stories of how little these families have and the fact that they're not able to provide a Christmas for their children, I want to cry. I cannot imagine waking up as a child on Christmas morning and not having anything from Santa or anything to unwrap.

Think about that. Sure, you can explain to your kids that Mommy and Daddy don't have enough money to buy presents, but how do you explain that Santa won't be bringing anything either?! That can't be easy...Obviously, you don't want to have to explain that Santa isn't real just because you don't have enough money to play him. I just can't imagine how it must feel to be one of those parents.

I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Like I've said before, I never used to be the type of person to want to give away my money or my services, but now...now it seems to be all I wanna do. I can't wait to send something to a couple of these families. The response Mama has received already is overwhelming, she says. I mean, I'm talkin' one family has offered to send a $25 gift card to EVERY SINGLE FAMILY who's story is submitted and shared....I mean, wow. Just wow. It's overwhelming to me to see that there are still so many good people in the world. It's so easy to forget that it still exists in this self-absorbed and cold world.  

Mama has used her immense popularity to do something absolutely incredible. I am so proud of her for doing something good with that power! I want to follow in her example and at least help her spread the word. I can't do as large of a service as she has done, but I can at least help her complete this great and wonderful task. I view it as a great blessing to have found this girl's blog when I did months ago, but now I can see why I found it. Seeing all of this has made me realize even more that I want to be more of a giver. She's doing great things and I am so excited to help and be a part of it. I really, truly hope that some of you will go to her blog, read some stories, and I strongly urge you to consider sending something to one of these sweet families. :)

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