What truly matters to you today?

[Whispers]

Waking up next to a woman that loves me after a night wrapping presents for a 5 year old that calls me Daddy for almost 3 years now. A bowl of Cream of Wheat and a cup of Hot Chocolate that has become the traditional Christmas breakfast in this home.

Over the years I have met and developed many friendships as a result my interactions with others here and on ASPD before here.

Two nights ago while shopping, "BustyGirl's (the lady that created ASPD) little Sister text-ed out of the blue to say hello and catch up after almost 3 years of not hearing from her. I hope her Christmas today is filled with love joy and the memories of past losses can be set aside briefly.

Wealth cannot be measured by the amount of money in the bank in my opinion. It is measured by the quality and quantity of the people you call "friend".

ASPD and ECCIE have made me a tremendously wealthy man over the years in that manner.

So many of you stepped up when called on this year and this morning 79 young men and women, their siblings and close family are enjoying a Christmas that would have been barren were it not for the support of those in this community.

4 of those Families decorated trees with the decorations (as well as the trees) that we provided them.

11 Families are preparing meals right now for their Christmas Dinner using the food and supplies we bought them.

7 young ladies, their children and the unborn child they carry are relaxing where they are with far less worry today than last week as a result of items purchased for them from food, to diapers, bottles, to clothing....

I wish every one of you that donated could see that joy and experience the outpouring of emotion that comes from these people that we serve each year.


We are a mixed lot of characters here with a common interest that many would shun us for......

But this community is made up of Grand Parents and Parents and we are all the children of others and inside of many is a gracious heart.

This board is a source of information as well as entertainment to me.

It is also an opportunity to develop new friends and nurture those friendships.

As the new year approaches I want to say Thank-you and wish all of you that I know, no matter how briefly our meeting was, a very merry Christmas! The rest of you as well and a suggestion to get out more and become a part of something bigger than the pages on this site in 2014 that involves the people behind the words!

You might be surprised at who we are!



Merry Christmas

Whispers

[Reborn666]

Glad to hear that those individuals were able to have a great holiday thanks to your hard work. I woke up with my special lady, and a bunch if Xmas text from friends. So I would consider myself wealthy, and very lucky

[Rmdobbs]

Thanks for doing what you do sir

[VictoriaLyn]

Originally Posted by Whispers

What truly matters to you today?

This Christmas took on a whole new meaning to me this year... As most of you know I lost my father this month suddenly and very unexpectly at the age of 62 since then I have been ..well I dont know what the word is to describe it...He was my super hero and rock...Anyway people I never would have guessed reached out(ONE VERY ANONYMOUS GENEROUS PERSON) and helped me in ways I am so very grateful and over whelmed by...let's not leave out the middle person who made it happen ..I don't believe the word thank you can come out of my mouth enough times...

So what matters to me today is new friendships as well as restored past connections..a new restored faith that there really are good people out there some even had me thinking..Yes Victoria there really is a Santa Clause......


What else matters equally if not more to me is that all those family's and children were able to have a Christmas this year..THANK YOU AGAIN WHISPERS for putting this together for those kids and I look forward to helping out again next year

Hope your loved ones a little tighter tonight and be grateful for what really matters ... love ..support and given spirit...

[DallasRain]

wow whispers---so cool!
{I have a 3 year old grandbaby who I adore and he calls me a cool nana,so I know where you are coming from}

I lost my dear dad a few years ago and my fave brother not long after...and my fave grandma died on christmas day 15 years ago......................SO christmas can be a little hard for me....especially cause my grandbaby is named after my dad and looks so much like him and he looks like my brother too!
But I now have my immediate family close so it helps to fill the day with funner memories....lots of food/watching old christmas movies and enjoying my homemade fudge!
It makes me realize that whatever happens,happens & life is still all good!
\
enjoy!!!

[sms918]

Whispers, I think what you and everyone else did was wonderful and inspiring for other cities. This time of year is for everyone to come together and help each other, and put aside personal differences.

Happy Holidays to everyone in Austin and everywhere.


And to our loved ones that are no longer able to celebrate with us, may they never be forgotten.




thanks again

[Loxly]

Unfortunately this entire episode isn't available, only the second half, which is probably the most important part. This was the original. I think it sums up the part in all of us that participated.



http://sugarbang.blogspot.com/2013/1...t-of-meek.html

[Guest101314]

Thank you Whispers for what you, and every one who participated did for those families. I wish I could have helped more.

What truly matters to me is obviously my children. Seeing their faces, hearing their expressions is always the best feeling to me.

[Guest021414]

Whispers: Waking up next to a woman that loves me after a night wrapping presents for a 5 year old that calls me Daddy for almost 3 years now. A bowl of Cream of Wheat and a cup of Hot Chocolate that has become the traditional Christmas breakfast in this home.



It is a great feeling isn't it!
Although my kids are very near graduation I am greatful to wake up on Christmas being MOMMY to happy healthy kids no better feeling in the world!

Thanks for all you did for those in such great need this holiday!!!

Hope everyone has a happy new year.... Everyone play safe!!!

As for me I'm off to HAWAII 12-28-13 to 1-6-14
**thank you WPD!!!**