Have you ever played Santa to a stranger?
By blackbriar
@blackbriar (9076)
United States
December 25, 2009 12:17am CST
Hey folks...My daughter has been wanting a DS or DSI for 3yrs. now and just never been able to make her Christmas wish come true. She's been saving her walmart gift cards and finally had enough to get one but then she passed the giving tree at walmart and stopped to ponder for a second. Next thing we knew, she picked 3 tags and had us help her pick out the gifts for the 3 kids she chose. Needless to say, she didn't get her DSI which she was ok with cause she helped 3 kids have a Christmas they, otherwise, might not of had.
Well, I was sitting here reading and responding to discussions a few nights ago, when I came across a story of a lady who so wanted to get her daughter some gift she really wanted but didn't have the funds to get her it. She posted how much the gift was and I knew I could help that lil' girl's Christmas wish come true. After playing Santa, with the help of several friends who are friends with her, I came to realize..'hey, why shouldn't Caroline get that DSI' I mean, yeah, I complain about her at times, but still..She is one awesome 11yr old who is so focused on her goals and what she wants in life. She's always giving, rarely taking. So, hubby and I scraped the rest of our tips together, and along with his boss who gave us some money to get her something, I did the unthinkable...I went out tonight right after work to walmart and got her her DSI and a few games along with the accessory kit. Came home, straight to my bedroom where hubby and I wrapped what few gifts we managed to buy her before tonight. Soon after, we sat in the living room enjoying the fire, opening presents. Her dad captured the look on her face at just the right moment..when she tore the wrapping and saw the letters. Wish I had a camcorder cause she was just screaming and crying, which, of course, had us crying as well.
To my friends who helped ensure that this lady, who, to me, is a complete stranger but a friend of theirs...thank you for helping me make that lil' girls wish come true. I also want to thank the gal who, cause of her story, inspired me to find a way for my daughter's own wish to come true. So, could you please point her in this direction or at least let her know she's one great gal for re-instilling the Christmas spirit in this broken lady.
To all my friends here...
Christmas is the season for giving..to be thankful we have our loved ones, family and friends, to cherish and celebrate with. Please..always let them know you love them for they may not be around for next Christmas. Have a safe and blessed Christmas, my friends!
Love yas!!!!!
5 people like this
11 responses
@AngryKittyMSV (4317)
• United States
25 Dec 09
I'm that Gal! THANK YOU for lifting ME up and getting me in the Holiday spirit with your generous surprise! I'm so glad you were able to get Caroline that DSI she wanted and I am amazed at what a wonderful loving child she is.
God Bless You and your entire family. I hope your daughter loves her games and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
My husband did come through at the last minute (yesterday) to make things special, but the generosity of my friends (old and new) was incredibly helpful and much appreciated during this economy and the kindness shown to me has moved me in a way that few things in this life could. Thank you and Bless you. Merry Christmas!
PS Next year I plan to have some kind of job so it won't be completely out of my hands again, I did not like that feeling I had before you wonderful people came and got me out of that dark place in my soul - and then I can be in a position to do for somebody else in need what you have done for me.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Dec 09
-warm smile- I know your that gal, Angry. This is what happens when friends go lurking in other friends discussions...well, most times I hope. Anyways, the warm feeling that washed over me when I sent ya that money...was just unreal. I've helped people out before but never felt like this. I was emotionally torn up in the few days leading to where I stumbled onto your post. It brought me out of my slump to help ya out. Just glad we had mutual friends who knew how to contact you. lol Caroline is thrilled with her DSI as you can see from the few pics I posted. My ears are still ringing from her screams. I just knew your husband would come through, even it was at last minute. Guys tend to do that. Least my hubby always does.
btw...I never did know what your daughter had her heart set on. Care to share? 
As a side note: Seems like I may have started something here. You are the 5th person who is going to try to set money aside to do what I did next year. I think it's a very good idea. 
As a side note: Seems like I may have started something here. You are the 5th person who is going to try to set money aside to do what I did next year. I think it's a very good idea. 1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Dec 09
All I can say is what a wonderful story blackbriar---I didn't know that Caroline wanted that DSI for so long..she could have gotten it for herself with those gift cards but decided to play Santa Claus herself...what a gal you got there. I PM'd that woman both here and at FB and gave a link to this discussion--and I'm glad I had her email addy so you in turn could play Santa Claus 
Love ya too gal!
Love ya too gal!1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Pye, between that and the Gameboy, that's all we would hear from her throughout the years. The GB was doable 3yrs. ago cause I got is so cheap but found out soon after that they no longer make GB games. This time, I chose the DSI cause it's the newest in the series...besides, she can go online with it and been using the camera feature like crazy. LOL
Thanks for giving her the heads-up, pye. 
ps- Now she's hinting at a laptop. 
ps- Now she's hinting at a laptop. 
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
29 Dec 09
That is such a great story to read. I am glad that you and your daughter were able to help out another family. We have done that before also. We also made sure my daughter had a nice Christmas this year too. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Thanks, steph! Christmas is all about giving in my book. Glad your daughter had a wonderful Christmas as well.
Have a Prosperous New Year, steph!!!
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
28 Dec 09
the story itself about your daughter's wish coming true had touch me..I really think that she deserve to have the DSI this year since she sacrificed what she wants for Christmas for other children to be happy this season of giving..
Happy New Year to you and your family my friend, wishing you all a bountiful new year
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
1 Jan 10
I thought so too after she made those children's wishes come true.
Here's to a Prosperous New Year, angel!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Dec 09
The sad thing is that so many people do not give anymore. Those who reach out, don't get anything because people just don't believe or don't trust. I haven't donated to Salvation Army this year, though I know I could, it's as simple as asking for cashback and getting it in smaller bills... but we just don't do it...
It's great to know that others are still reaching out and still believe...
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Dec 09
awwwwwwwww...you should, Some. I even bought extra balloons at the Shell station for March of Dimes. That store had more 'Littrell' balloons than it did windows. :-) For the Salvation Army, I always make sure I buy something with cash and throw the pocket change in the kettle. I used to donate through the mail lick clock-work but, sadly, no longer can.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Dec 09
In recent years I've attended Two walks for the benefit of the cancer society. I've been a member of a club back in school for children's cancer. There is a lot we all could be doing, I know! I know I don't do enough.
@adriennem10 (165)
• United States
30 Dec 09
These days kids in like the first or second rade had cell phones and allt aht good stuff. i had to eanr eveything of mine and sometimes mom would give me stuff, but it was mainly for christmas and not anything else.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Same here, adriennem... my daughter, however, knows she has to earn what she wants or doesn't get it.
Have a Prosperous New Year!!!
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Jan 10
Blackbriar
First of all that was so sweet of your Daughter that she put those Children before herself that is just wonderful
I am also glad that you managed to get her what she wanted, as she proved to you that that she has a lot of love and giving inside her, she wanted this Game so much and when she had the Money, she decided to make others Happy, she is one Star
I know it is always hard but in the end it is worth it just to see the happiness on the Childs Face, and there will have been 3 Happy Children that Morning who got those special presents from a little Girl who did not think how much she wanted the Game, but she thought of 3 Children that where entitled to have a Christmas to
Much Love to you and to the little Star
@GardenGerty (157650)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Merry Christmas, and may the Spirit of Love and Giving fill this day with joy for you and all the others reading this post.To be able to give is a blessing.
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
26 Dec 09
I don't think I have. I did support my church last year when they had an angle tree and a gift giving box of food for families that needs such things. We had extra money and God blessed us with plenty so we bought some gifts and told are kids what we were doing. We also gave plenty of food boxes. This year we weren't anywhere that we could do that.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Dec 09
Supporting your church like that is playing Santa in a round-a-bout way.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
26 Dec 09
You have such a special daughter there! She could have got what she had wished for so long but she decided to help another instead...That is pretty amazing for a kid that age! You are lucky to have such a lovely young lady. I saw the photo of her face when she opened her gift and you have titled it accurately ‘priceless!’
I have put gifts under the wishing tree but your story is so touching and I think you and your family are the greatest. It is what it’s all about, making other’s dreams come true; it is the best feeling in the world, I’m sure!
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Dec 09
Thanks, paula! I had a talk with hubby about her after she did this for those kids. He's always raining on her parade when she's just being herself. We are lucky cause many kids nowadays could care less about those less fortunate than they are. She's always standing up for the underdog at school as well.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Dec 09
Trust me..you'll enjoy playing Santa so much...the feeling that washes over ya just at the mere thought...
