Blog description

A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

Chocolate Loving Followers!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Angels Among Us



There are, on occasion the most wonderful sites to behold. Events that restore your faith in humanity and give you a moment to reflect on the miracles that come with this blessed season.

Yesterday, I was on my way to the airport to pick up my niece who is visiting from Florida for Christmas. Before I could get going, I had to stop at the gas station to fuel up for the ride. As I was pumping gas, a woman, not much older than myself, began lifting the garbage can lids, rummaging thru the trash for cans to redeem (in Michigan, and a few other states, soda cans are redeemable for a dime each). I did not have any cash to give her and I’m sorry to say that I didn’t think to go into the attendant to even buy her a cup of coffee. But, a young man, about my son’s age (late teens, early twenties), looking kind of "ganster" in dress; low slung pants, hoodie with the hood pulled over his head (granted, it was very cold) and driving a pretty beat up looking car, walked over to her. He gently tapped her on the shoulder, spoke very quietly to her and she followed him back to his car. He lifted the trunk of the car and gave her two big bags of soda/beer cans to take with her. It was a simple, sweet, and oh so kind gesture that it brought tears to my eyes. This young man, an African American, reached out to help an older white woman and he did it without anyone else paying attention. I wanted to walk over and tell him how touched I was by his gesture but he drove off before I could say anything. I got to witness this small but significant kindness by a young man that most would have looked at and made many incorrect assumptions. He is obviously an angel among us! I would be willing to bet that the young man doesn’t tell anyone about what he did – I wish I could tell his mom - but I wanted you to know. Two women were touched by an angel yesterday…. it was a blessing.

Have you been touched by an angel? More importantly, have you been an angel in someone’s life, lately?

As a last post for the Christmas week before it gets too crazy 'round here with all the company, I thought I'd show you my holiday decorations since I've so enjoyed seeing so many of yours.

These are my Buyer's Carolers that my mom gave me years ago to represent my family. Julie gave me the Santa holding a bag of Virginia Peanuts which are near and dear to my heart (and stomach) - there's nothing else like 'em!

I hope the pics are clickable but lately they haven't been. Not sure why?

A feather tree with Hummell Houses gifted to me by my mom:

A couple of favorite pictures of Matt and Ty and more holiday "stuff": Note to self - add some garland or greens or something - it looks pretty bare....

Coffee table in the living room - love the picture of Tyler holding the lights:


A favorite night light:


Jenny Bean and a small Feather Tree:


Yet another Santa night light:

Did I mention that I love Santa's:

It's kind of an obsession:

On top of the foyer closet:

The foyer shelf above the front door:

On top of the kitchen hutch:

On a kitchen shelf:

On the bookcase at the top of the stairs - another Hummell village my mom gifted me:

The basement sports tree:

Even "The Babe" in the basement needs a little Christmas:

And what else but a Santa night light on the basement bar:

Wishing you and your families a joyous, full of wonder, Christmas.

Peace,

Terri

54 comments:

Tricia said...

Your story made me so happy that I wanted to cry. Bless his heart! Thank you so much for sharing. Merry Christmas!

staci said...

Your story brought tears to my eyes, this is the true meaning of Christmas that we all need to hold onto year round. Thanks for sharing and for reminding us all that's it's the little kindnesses that mean the most.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Wonderful story. TFS Your Christmas decorations look wonderful Have a very Merry Christmas.

Marion said...

Beautiful story Terri!!
That is the true spirit of Christmas!

Love your decorating!!!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season!!!
Take care
marion

Marylin /Poussy said...

very beautiful !
merry chrismas for you
marylin

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Ah, yes, they're out there among us, disguised in many forms. Thanks for sharing your blessing with us. Your cecorations are lovely, and I wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!

BrendaS said...

What a nice story to read a few days before Christmas.

Love all your Christmas decorations and your beautiful stitched pieces as well.

Have a Merry Christmas

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours this holiday season. What a beautiful, touching story! Dawn

stitchersanon said...

A lovely story: it is what Christmas is about and it also makes us question our stereotypical views and values.
A perfect post for xmas week, thank you.

Kajsa said...

Talk about Christmas spirit! How lovely.

Your decorations are so pretty. Love the lighted up Santa on the bar, I need to try to find something similar for my basement.

KarenV said...

What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing :) Love your decorations too!

Maggie said...

What a lovely story Terri :-)

Thanks for sharing your christmas decorating photos, everything looks beautiful!

Have a wonderful christmas x

Alice said...

What a beautiful, Christmasy house you have! That was a very sweet and heartening story as well and a lesson to everyone to at least try not to pre-judge people. A few years ago I happened to be riding a city bus in a city I was visiting and was a little worried about the prevalance of quite scary looking young people with spiked hair, tattoos and the most remarkable number of piercings. I needn't have worried.... a little old blue haired lady entered the bus and no less than four of them got up and offered their seat to her.... you just never can tell.

Melissa said...

Thank you for sharing that story, Terri. It is true that there are more angels than we can imagine, if we can look past the surface of things and people!

Have a wonderful Christmas! A house full of Santas - how can you go wrong?! ;-)

Pumpkin said...

Terri, your house looks SO festive! Where do you get feather trees?

What a beautiful story... That is definitely not something we 'expect' to see every day. It's so nice to hear stories like that and thank you for sharing it with us :o)

Deb said...

A story like that restores your faith in humanity, doesn't it? And it's really what Christmas is all about - Giving! Love all your decorations Terri. I'm a huge Santa fan too (does that not surprise you since we seem to be so much alike)?

Hope you have a wonderful visit with your niece and a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful story Terri! All the best to you and your family this Christmas season . Happy stitching in 2011!

Cole said...

What a beautiful story! I think it touches your heart more when it comes from such an unexpected source, we are all so quick to judge, aren't we? Thank you for that reminder Terri :) And Merry Christmas!!!

Margaret said...

I love seeing your beautiful home all decorated for Christmas! Wow! Is that angel yours as well? Thank you for telling the story of the young man helping out that woman. How beautiful -- he is truly an angel among us. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

I think that those angels among us would love to continue these gestures without a'due simply because they understand how one kind action can touch so many and they don't want the attention drawn towards themselves but rather thrive on passing it onward to others who maybe have never had the availability to or maybe the capability to pass on a deed.
I am so sure they are out there everywhere but sometimes we are in to much of a hurry or a selfish state that we do not recognize something so simple.
What a lovely time to hold dear to your heart which is an amplification that assumptions of others falls is nothing other than a reflection of our own assumptions.
Thanks for sharing this Terri and I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas
As always.

Meadows08 said...

That was a touching story, thank you for sharing.

Your Christmas decorations look beautiful. Merry Christmas!

Melody said...

What a nice story! It's good to know there is still human kindness to strangers going on out there. Especially from unexpected sources.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your house. You have a beautiful home, and lovely stitching and displays!

Happy Holidays!

Robin in Virginia said...

Thanks for sharing your story! My grandmother would have said you can't always tell what is on the inside from glimpsing at the book cover's jacket.

Your home looks so warm and inviting, Terri!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Theresa said...

I love your story!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

valerie said...

That's a very touching story. It's uplifting to hear about small gestures that uplift humanity. Love all your decorations! Merry Christmas!

Mylene said...

Thanks for sharing the story, it really brought tears to my eyes and so good to hear that there are always people like him...
Your x'mas decorations looks great.

Wish you and your family a happy Christmas!

Roberta said...

What a great experience to see for the Christmas season. Very special.

Love your Christmas decorations they are so beautiful. Love to see everyones decorations -

Merry Christmas

Tanya said...

What a heartwarming story! I truly hope there are many more angels among us that do these small deeds out of kindness. I really enjoyed seeing your finished needlework and Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas, Terri!

KAREN said...

Have a very Happy Holiday!

Vinniey said...

I was so touched by your story. Thanks for sharing, Terri. I wish a merry Christmas and happy new year. :)

Giovanna said...

Lovely story, thanks for sharing. What gorgeous decorations - Merry Christmas!

Sherry said...

What a wonderful and special story, Terri. Thank you for sharing it. I love your decorations. Merry Christmas and thank you for a year of friendship.

Patty C. said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family !!

MANUELA ALBANESE said...

I wish you will have a merry merry christmas!
Manuela

Sue said...

Thanks for sharing the story of the kind young man, it was encouraging. I collect Byer's Choice Carolers, every year my husband buys me a new one. I have a whole choir of them, they are my favorite Christmas decorations. Have a Merry Christmas.

Kathy A. said...

Oh my what a wonderful Christmas angel story. It just goes to show you can't judge a book by it's cover or in this case a young man by his clothing.
Your Christmas decorations are gorgeous and make your home look so inviting.

SiobhĂ¡n said...

What a wonderful story. It's so nice to witness the kindness of strangers. :)

Merry Christmas!

Sherry :o) said...

Thanks for the tear running down my face - literally! Sometimes "our kids", especially when dressed not so nice don't get the right thoughts - what a nice thing that meant the world to three (him, her and you). I agree, wish you could tell his mom.

Love your Santas! I have a snowman obsession - but I didn't put them out this year - not enough time I guess.

Peace to you, sweet Terri! See you in the new year.

Daffycat said...

Merry Christmas, Terri!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

JOYEUX NOEL

Susan said...

Thanks so much for telling us that story, and reminding us to be watchful for opportunites to serve others as well as to be alert for everyday miracles.

Karoline said...

What a lovely story Terri. Your decorations are lovely.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas

Michelle said...

What a touching story! And I love all of your decorating, especially the feather tree with the Hummel houses. So pretty! Happy Holidays!

Kellie Collis said...

What a touching story! And that night light is just adorable! Enjoy the holidays, Kellie xx

Dona said...

What a touching story and an something I'm sure you will never forget. It certainly was a reminder to me that one can always do more.

Thank you for sharing pictures of your Christmas decorations! I love Santas, too.

Rowyn said...

What a lovely and touching story. It just goes to show that you cannot judge a person by the way they look.

I enjoyed looking at your Christmas decorations.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Happy New Year 2011, peace, love, health and
friendships marylin

Von said...

Lovely story of giving for the season. :)

Happy New Year, Terri!

The Thread Gatherer said...

Want to thank you for sharing your 'angel among us' story. It was very touching and made me think, cry a little and be thankful for such a young man. If he all raised our children to be so kind, so thoughtful, and so giving we could consider our 'mothering' a success. Blessings to you in the new year.

The Thread Gatherer said...

I was touched by your story. It made me reflect and think about the truly small gestures we can offer to others. Thanks for sharing.

Bea de Caracas said...

Reçois mes meilleurs voeux et de gros bisous, dear Terry...

Loraine said...

Terri. I'm so sorry I'm just now reading your post. I've seriously had to put the blog reading on hold for a while. I hope to get back to it really soon.
What a wonderful story. It makes my heart happy to hear stories like this. There are so many wonderful people in the world! (You are an angel to me!)
Your house is just gorgeous. I hope your holidays were bright, and that you had a great Christmas day.
Hugs to you. I'll have to send you an e-mail this weekend, so we can catch up!

Sue said...

Wow Terri, what a wonderful story. I am so glad that you took the time to tell it. We too have had our share of Angels in our lives - I might email you of some one day soon. At various times, we too have been Angels to someone else, and when you do it anonomously, it is wonderful. (I hope I spelt that right??) Anyway I am a new Follower of yours now. Love to read your blogs. Hugs n Blessings from Sue in South Australia xx

Bonnie said...

I'm posting this late, since I just joined your blog. Noticed your Old World Santa Light at the end. I used to collect them. Sold most of them on e-bay but still have 3 from the '90's. Do you collect them as well?---Bonnie