Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Hunt-Recycled

Hey Blog Buddies...my computer is not back from the tech. I had actually hoped it would be. We are going on 4 weeks without it. :( On the bright side, this does provide me with the opportunity to share a little story with you. It is about the Christmas spirit and trust me, it will be worth the read! If you have been reading my blog for a while, it is the same story I shared last year. :) It is my favorite Holiday story ever...and one that I never tire of telling!

It was December 22, 2001. We were living in Utah at the time. I was 8 months pregnant with my second child, had a 22 month old baby running around, DH was living in Egypt for a year (for work), and we had our house up for sale. Yes, life was a little chaotic, but good!

Due to my husband's inability to make it home for Christmas, our dear friends had invited my son and I over for Christmas dinner. Awesome! My son is the pickiest eater EVER, so making turkey and the fixings only for myself would have been depressing.

At 6:30 pm on the 22nd, my doorbell rang. I answered it and was greeted by some overly cheerful people wearing reindeer antlers and Santa hats.

"Hello!" they exclaimed, "We are on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt and hope you can help us!"

"Sure," I said, intrigued by this proposal, "what are you looking for?"

"Well," the lady replied, "We are trying to provide a needy family with enough food for Christmas breakfast and dinner. Do you happen to have some green beans, a pound of bacon, or rolls?"

I excused myself and went to check. Opening the pantry door, I was reminded of the fact I was not cooking anything this year! No green beans...no rolls in the fridge...and no bacon. Darn! This was such a cool scavenger hunt and I really wanted to help!

"Sorry," I sadly said to the cheerful hunters, "I don't have any of those items."

"Oh, that's OK," she gleefully replied. "We are also taking donations to buy the family a gift card from Target so they can do some Christmas shopping. Would you care to donate to that?"

I ran to my purse as well as I could being so pregnant! Opening my wallet I realized I literally had NO money. Nope...not even a dollar. How embarrassing!

I sulked back to the door and had to tell them how sorry I was I could not help. "But good luck to you," I exclaimed!

About 8:45 pm my doorbell rang yet again. Oh my...now it is getting late. Who could this be? I opened the door to see 25 people on my porch spilling onto the walkway and into my front yard. Candles were lit and carols were being sung. Before I could react, they were in my house, delivering boxes upon boxes of toys and food.

"Merry Christmas," the same jolly lady replied, "Part of our scavenger hunt was finding the needy family...and YOU are it!"

I was literally speechless. Of course, being hormonal, I started to cry. What a dismal sight I must have been...BIG pregnant, young child, house up for sale, no husband in sight! All I could do was stand there. There was no telling them to stop! They were SO HAPPY to have found me! I could not bear to tell them I was NOT the needy family!

They only stayed for a few minutes, finishing a beautiful rendition of Silent Night and Joy to the World, ending with a round of hugs from all. After they left, I stood there with a tear stained face just looking at the boxes upon boxes of things, wondering what I should do with it all.

The next morning, I called our church office and relayed my story of the night before. By divine intervention just hours before my call, 2 needy families contacted my church asking for immediate help. I quickly loaded my Ford Excursion, which was FULL to the brim with boxes, and drove over to make my special delivery. It felt so good passing this wonderful gift on to someone else who truly needed it.

Our pastor shared this story with each church service that day. It put a smile on our congregation's face and led to many jokes about my "neediness" and inability to keep anything in the pantry or a dollar in my wallet!

I love this story. Whenever I retell it, I get the same feeling in my heart as the day it happened. It is truly a testament to the generosity of strangers and the true meaning of Christmas.

May the joy of the season bring warmth to your heart as it did mine.

16 comments:

Lisa M. said...

Brought tears to my eyes again...so glad you shared this...great reminder! :)

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I love this story. I read it last year and laughed and smiled then too. Great Christmas story. Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas this year. Can't wait for you to get your computer fixed so we can see more of you.

CathyRose said...

Oh what a wonderful story! It is the first time hearing for me and I am going to pass it along. Thanks for sharing it again.

Louise F NZ said...

I read this last year on your blog and it bought a tear to my eye... this year I am a blithering mess (you know why...) thanks for sharing your awesome story again and here's to the spirit of Christmas!

gale said...

Thanks for posting this again. I loved it last year and I hope to read it again next year. Hope your computer is fixed soon too.

Karen said...

What a fantastic story to tell, and retell!!! I love it! Thank you for sharing it as I now have a huge Chesire-like grin across my face! :>

Hope your computer woes end soon....they are never fun!

Stephanie said...

Siobhan - this is a wonderful story!! I'm so glad that you shared it...and it's definitely one that would leave a lasting impression :) wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter, peace, and working computers :)

theneon said...

Don't ever quit telling this wonderful true life story! You are a delight and how wonderful that you were able to pass the gifts on to a needy family. It surely brightened your world and was meant to be given to you for you to pass on! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Mary said...

Awesome story - thanks for sharing it. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

peggysue said...

I am all choked up. Thank you for sharing it. First time for me, but I won't forget it . . .thank you.

Grace said...

Oh my... this is just the best Christmas story!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!! Isn't it amazing how God provides??? He can use so many people in such different ways to meet the needs of people!

Merry Christmas and may your new year be blessed from above!

Kay said...

Just stopped by to wish you a merry christmas! wonderful story :) Hope Santa brings you a new computer!

thescrapmaster said...

I love this story this year JUST as much as last year. Merry Christmas sweetie! I love you!!

scubasubie said...

Thanks for the card! You have a beautiful family and cute doggies. Hope your computer gets fixed soon.

Naomi said...

What a wonderful story!!! Not many people get those kinds of experiences, that was beautiful!

katiesniche said...

Oh I love that story. God works in mysterious ways!