Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A "Whopper" of a gift...


It would be easy to simply say she is my neighbor- because she is.  But it's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Anne.  Friend, is what comes to mind- a true friend who has been there for me and my family,  in more ways than I could possibly articulate.



About a week before Christmas, Rick received a phone call from the store manager, Mindy, at the Moorhead Burger King.  He would only share with me the conversation revolved around a "surprise," and going to Burger King for dinner one night.

But then my mom was hospitalized, and the time we arranged didn't work.

So after making sure mom was in good hands, we decided to have breakfast at Burger King,  with Mindy and Anne, who have worked together for 30+ years!  

We walked inside and were greeted with a showering of snowman literally covering every surface of the walls!  They were so cute.  


Then we saw this:



We all ordered our complimentary breakfast, thinking the gift of a free and yummy meal, was pretty spectacular in itself.  


Next, I think our pretty shocked and speechless family was led over to a table covered in presents!  


The story slowly unravels.  It seems everyone had a little part in it.  The idea stemmed from the new owners of Burger King, and so our local stores, decided to do"Project Snowman" for the first time.  They had a process for people to nominate families. So Anne submitted our name, but had no part in picking the family.  To her delight and surprise, they picked us!  

So Mindy with the help of Anne got busy planning.  They had a huge part in asking the boys and Rick some of the things we might need or like as a family.  And boy, did Mindy and Anne deliver!  

How about athletic wear, from our favorite sports teams?  Hoodies, for the boys and Rick, and a zip up coat for me!  There was a knee hockey net and sticks for the boys.  And a whole set of Viva La Juicy for me. That alone planted huge smiles on our faces! 

In addition were gift cards to the grocery store, to my favorite nail salon in the summer for my toes (Anne and I go together in the summer), for fishing gear for Rick, etc.  

They thought of everything!  Everything was both useful to us, and a real treat to have.  

I can only imagine the amount of time Mindy and Anne invested in making all of this go so smoothly, and be such a huge success!  




And the part where not a dry eye existed?  Cause you know there has to be tears when things of this magnitude happen…



When I opened the beautiful angel.  And guess who requested an angel- for his mom?

The sweet boy, Colton.  As, I looked up through my misty eyes, to see his big eyes swimming in tears.  Through a choked voice he says, "because we always get an angel for mom at Christmas."  

He remembers.  That boy.  My heart.  

Each of the boys also received an angel ornament with "mom" written on it too.


Burger King- you stole our hearts!  Project snowman was a huge success!  Mindy and Anne, and all who donated, have such compassionate and generous hearts.  We're so touched and honored to have been nominated and chosen to be the recipients of such a gift!!  

As our family sat watching a movie late Christmas Eve, I asked Colton his thoughts on Christmas so far.


"Well, I do miss Grandma not coming here."

Then the rest of what he said I sent out in a text, to Anne.

"So far?"  Colton Said.

"Best Christmas Ever."  

****************************************




“The word I think of is precarious. I am struck by how precarious it all is. How the things that hold us are only as strong as the faith we have in them.” 
― David LevithanThe Realm of Possibility



We cling to these very blessings, those uplifting and gratitude- filled moments- throughout the holiday season.  They tend to buoy us as life continues its rocky, "precarious," course for our family.

Mom spent another night in the ER needing to have more fluid drained again.  This time, her niece, my cousin Pam took her.  

Because at our house?  Our superman, has come down with Shingles.  

Yes- he is truly miserable.  But he has been to the clinic 3 times, and the ER once, thanks to our friends when they were all in Roseau for hockey.  Rick has all the meds on board now.  He is resting, sleeping long hours, and letting many of us take over for him.  

So I'm clinging to my word- whispering it over and over again- "I believe, I believe."

~All shall be well~ I believe.  

























22 comments:

  1. Me too, Vicki. So great to see your name show up here- love and prayers to you, friend :)

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  2. Oh, what a lovely thing for them to do. And, yes, I do think that those gifts and sweet moments of kindness from both friends and strangers buoy you through the harder times. So sorry for your sweet husband and mama right now!

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    1. Thank you, Melissa, we appreciate the prayers and concern. If anyone knows about those blessings that sustain and nourish us, its you, my friend!

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  3. Holy Moly! What a blessing... I was fine reading this until Colton and his angel made an appearance!

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    1. Hi Michelle- so cool to see you pop in here! I know- me too- that Colton gets me every time :) And I just love that Mindy and Anne helped him do what was in his heart to do!

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  4. oh bless your hearts...beautiful! but your super man with shingles...oh so painful! your plate is truly full...however the love gifts keep comming and colton's angel...priceless...are there any words for this beautiful, painful ride? ...oh yes...I believe..I believe....love you beautiful lady....love and prayers..prayers and love!

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    1. Oh Peggy- your beautiful photo has such light to it- simply gorgeous! Yes- the messy and hard are entwined with the beautiful gifts and they truly are like life preservers- seeing us through it all :)

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  5. I can't even breathe.....So much love. Just gotta be able to take it all in.

    Praying for Rick too. My mom had it years ago and asked God to heal her. He did, Vicky!

    Love you.

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    1. Am praying that God eases the misery at some point. Maybe healing will be in His plan too? In the meantime, much empathy is coming my way from my hubby!

      Love you too, Julie!

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  6. Oh my sweet friend...
    You had me at Anne and the Burger King gifts, but I became undone with the angel Colton, sweet Colton, had wanted for you. "We always get an angel for Mom at Christmas"...ah... the traditions are memorized in his sweet heart. And to top it all off, an angel that said "you are braver than you know"

    And then to hear about your Mom back in the ER and that Rick has shingles
    (I have had them)...well, thank goodness for Jesus and being carried during times such as these. The roller coaster of uncertainty. Thank Goodness God is certain.

    Sending oodles of love and hugs and prayers to all of you!
    To the moon and back again!
    Linda

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    1. The angel did me in, too! Rick and I don't often exchange gifts. If we can get something for all the others at Christmas, we feel good. But we decided to help the boys learn how to pick out something for others at some point, and Colton has become so thoughtful about it! Sending oodles of love, hugs and prayers right back to you!

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  7. And you still have time to blog? I know, blog is a blessing, it's a form of relaxation, it feeds the soul. And yet...it's a bit commitment. Thanks for continuing to make it sweet Vicky! XXOO, Roxane (I love the angel, and Colton's memory! What a sweet kid!)

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    1. I have always carved out time for blogging- hopefully always will! Days slip by at times, quite unexpectedly, but I rally somehow. I think I've seen too many, who start letting weeks go by, and then make a big comeback, only to drop from sight again. So I work hard at getting something posted- not always the best writing, etc., but its always me trying at least :)

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  8. Oh what a lovely lovely thing, Burger King.

    sending healing thoughts and prayers your way, poor Superman!

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    1. Thank you Karen! Most appreciated- Superman is super miserable - ugh!

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  9. Oh, I am so moved reading this post. What a beautiful expression of love to your family--and your precious son asking for an angel for you--I am tearing up again just thinking of his love for you. And I am hurting for your Superman--I had shingles last spring and can truly feel his pain. I feel like I slept forever--and I went thru a bottle of calamine lotion and a box of Domeboro to try to keep the lesions dried out. Not fun. {{{hugs}}} and prayers for healing.

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    1. Sharon- welcome friend- how great to hear from you! So sorry to hear that you had to go through the misery of shingles too! Oy, they make him so miserable and not like himself at all. He is being such a trooper! Thank you for stopping in and leaving such kind words for us! Hugs back to you!

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  10. I just love you being blesses left and right. Everyone in your family deserves nothing less. I still think of you a lot, we have just had a crazy change of life that I sent you an e-mail about ;-)

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    1. Maddy Christine- I just emailed you back! I am so excited for your news, and that you shared it with me. Am praying as you enter into this adventure for clarity, peace and lots of love and laughter. Hugs to you friend!

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  11. Tears, too. That Colton. That boy. What friends, what a business, what a COMMUNITY! Makes me want to jump for joy. Bloom where you're planted and all around you they are blooming. Blessing others, especially at Christmas, is a blessing for the giver. Glad you all got terrific things. :D And so sorry Rick got shingles. Ugh. Very painful. Tell him not to put pressure on the affected area as it seriously increases the risk of nerve damage. Hope he is recovering well. Boy, Vicky, life and its vagaries just keep occurring no matter what else is going on. Life did NOT get the memo.....!

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  12. Vicky - of course I'm just getting to know a little about you and your family. But, I already do know that you are one fabulous lady! I'll be praying every day for you. I'm so glad Karen introduced us. xoxo

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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