18 years ago, I was a young sailor. I was married with a husband that was in college and unemployed and a young mother of two, and with the daycare costs and rent, we were having trouble making ends meet on my E-4 pay. Heck, just putting food on the table was hard and tuna, hot dogs & pintos were a staple in my home. I knew it was going to be a tough Christmas for us. Our home was out in the country with no others around it. I was sitting at home and the home telephone rang (couldnt afford a cell). A grumbly voice told me to go out in my yard and look outside the gate, there would be something waiting for me. I peeked through the windows into the darkness and could just make out the silhouette of a dark van sitting at the end of my drive. My husband wasnt home and I was a bit confused and nervous so I called the police. After a few nail biting minutes, the police arrived. I waited and waited and then received another call on my phone and the police told me that it was alright and could I come outside. Now I was still scared and worried to go outside the home, but when I reached the gate, the police officers were smiling and pointed down to two laundry baskets, one with ham, veggies and all the trimmings for a Christmas meal and the other had wrapped presents in it. I got all kinda sniffely and the cops were grinning from ear to ear. They wished me a Merry Christmas and went on their way. I never forgot that night, and I suspect it was my Lieutenant and his family that played Santa for us. He was always giving and jovial and he knew I was struggling to make ends meet. To this day, every year around Christmas, I think of this and remember it by donating a toy, food to the food banks, etc. This year I sponsored both a child and a senior in need. Because once, I was there too.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:19:00 +0000
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