Sunday, December 19, 2010

One thousand & forty seven dollars


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What have you done, you lovely wonderful people?
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Earlier this month I asked for and began receiving donations to help a young high school student named Z.
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I said I hoped to raise $ 1000 so she could have an emergency fund to help with a place to live, food, clothes, & transportation while she finished high school and worked to start college next year.
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Thank you so much. Thank you so very very much.
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I hope you know how I feel to have received contributions FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, your hands & hearts reaching out, trusting me to extend your collective kindness to one child in need. I dis not simply receive money. It was so much better than that. I received love, caring, faith, hope, prayers, blessings. I felt every single wish and dream.
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I won't name names because not one of you helped to be applauded. You are all secret angels. That's what you are. It doesn't matter if you sent cash or prayers: it all matters equally.
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Yesterday my daughter Jessica and my son-in-law Mike asked me how close I was to $ 1000. When I told them, they smiled and Mr. Ryan, still age 3, handed me bills, enough to top my goal. They had cashed in their coin bowl and gave the proceeds to help Z.
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Oh my. My my. What amazing power we have together. I am humbled and grateful and surprised and delighted. I want you to be all that too. You deserve to feel like this too.
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Soon I will ask Z's school counselor to play this forward. It will be an anonymous gift from amazing people, with a few strings attached. Z will be required to work with an adult to manage the money, to set up an emergency fund, to use at least some of it for her immediate needs ( starting with a new winter coat).
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Thank you, thank you each of you. Please let this be a gift to yourself. We raised $ 1047.00.


But we raised more than money.
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We raised alot more than money.
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Love
kj

14 comments:

  1. Made me cry, so happy we reached the goal and thanks to your daughter, went over it! Makes me feel all warm inside. xoxo

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  2. thank you so much annie. you helped in so many ways. thank you thank you. kinda makes me cry too. and smile.

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  3. oh dear. it's like a movie kj, 'miracle at number 9. only it's not a miracle really, it's just you being you.

    i love what you've done here and i love your warm and neverending heart. and jess, like mother, like daughter. ♥

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  4. And Mr. Ryan was pretty impressed to hand over that money wasn't he (the little angel). I'm glad you're setting some guidelines for her to manage the money - that'll help alot. And I owe you some money for the necklace, and should have given you a check yesterday - can I still do paypal to pay for it?

    it really is a lovely story

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  5. i am so very very happy Z.. i could not help with money, and was feeling very guilty about it.. this post made me breathe deep... :-) Thank You, God, wherever you are.. :-)

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  6. The best part to me is that Z will know that there are people (lots of people!) who want to see her succeed. Maybe that will help her on the hard days to come - to know that we are all here, telling her to keep trying. That part makes me very, very happy. So thank you, kj, for a wonderful Christmas story, and Z, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will reach your dreams. Hang tough! xoxo Pam

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  7. bravo. I am so happy for Z she will be so surprised by the kindness.

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  8. That's just wonderful, kj! Heartwarming indeed! xx

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  9. Dear KJ,
    Your warm, generous heart exudes just what the true spirit of Christmas is.... to love, to share, to be there for somone who is less fortunate. You are our Shining Star - and I know Renee is so very proud of you...and of our not-so-little blogging family!

    I was thrilled to hear about Ryan and Jess.....how lovely a gesture!

    This is a real Holiday Gift to all of us too - LOVE can make a lot happen in this world!

    MUWAH!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. To quote a much loved, much missed angel, "Together strong."

    Last year it was Renee's "We treasure you" chest, and this year you kicked it into gear for Z.

    I love being a part of the bigger picture. Helping those less fortunate is a huge gift to ourselves.

    Thank you for getting the snowball rolling and having it turn into an avalanche of kindness and generosity.

    yay Z!!! I wish I could see her face when she gets the good news. It will be fun for you to have her tell you all about it and then you act surprised.

    Love you, KJ baboon!

    xoxo
    Lo♥

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  11. Your generosity no longer surprise me KJ, just kind of warms me. It really is incredible what like minded people can do when they act together. I am so chuffed that Z will find out that there are people rooting for her. Imagine how encouraging that will be in itself! Just fab. xx Jos

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  12. I am visualizing her picking out a new coat, and smiling.
    Smiling really big!
    I'm with Mim,,,I think it's good for her to have guidelines,,,,

    I'm also applauding you and your very large heart, kj!
    I know this is not why you organize these things, but you're adding stars to your crown, friend,,,,stars to your crown.

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