One of the families that attended WTRLA this year was the Chong Family. This family is simply amazing. The love for Nathan as well as Nathan's uncle was very present on October 15th. On October 15th I got to meet Jolene, Nathan's Mommy.
One one of my many nights up I was reading her blog. She had posted about Nathan's Stocking and I immediately knew what I wanted to do for Nathan.
For over 10 years now Eddie and I have donated toys to Spark of Love. Now that we have Sophia in heaven we have now started a new part of that tradition. Every year we purchase duplicate gifts for Mya. This symbolizes the fact that we should be purchasing two of everything. One for Sophia and one for Mya. We then donate them to the Spark of Love toy drive. So I wanted to go purchase something for Nathan and donate it in his honor too as a way to be part of his stocking.
So tonight after dinner Mya and I went to go give those special gifts to the fire station. I also packed up some cookies for them to enjoy. Mya was very excited to be on our mission. When we arrived the chief saw that we had a bag of toys so he opened up the big door for Mya to see the fire truck.
When I got home and put Mya to bed I wrote Nathan a letter for his stocking. I know it is the little things that help in the biggest way and though Eddie and I have always tried to purchase gifts for older children as they always seem to get forgotten, it is now OK that I purchase gifts for a 3 year old and a 6 month old. Because in my eyes these are very special gifts. We still try and focus on older kids too. But these gifts are from a different part of the heart.
So now I leave you with the letter I wrote for Nathan's Stocking.
Dear Nathan,
Merry Christmas, Sweet Angel. This being your first Christmas and all the good deeds that are being done in your honor simply amaze me. You are most certainly one very loved little boy.
For over 10 years now Eddie and I have always donated toys to the Spark of Love toy drive. We always went to the same fire station to give all the toys we were donating. This year as we have moved we donated to a new fire station. After spending the afternoon with your older sister, Elizabeth and your older brother Michael we went to donate our toys. But I knew I still needed to purchase one more gift to give them in your honor. I also wanted to donate one for Sophia too.
So last night after dinner Mya and I packed up the toys we purchased for you and Sophia as well as some cookies for the nice fire men and we went to the fire station to donate those toys. When we arrived I had to tell the cheif why we were back. I told him about WTRLA and about you and Sophia. He gave Mya and I a big hug and said the you and Sophia are two very special children and that he hopes these toys go to children that will love them half as much as your Mommy's love you two.
I personally know the love for you and Sophia is endless and your family loves and misses you so much.
Merry Christmas Nathan, I hope you and Sophia feel the love that is for you both.
Your Friend,
Cassie
Sophia and Mya's Mommy
Cassie, I don't even have words to thank you enough for how much joy this has brought to my heart. I have happy tears right now. Thank you for helping to make our first Christmas without Nathan a special one, and for giving us something to look forward to on Christmas morning (as I still haven't read your letter yet :)
ReplyDeleteSophia is one very special little girl, who is very loved and remembered always. I know Sophia and Nathan are smiling down on you for such a beautiful act of kindness that will help other children who are in need.
You are an amazing person and you have been an inspiration to me from the moment I heard about Walk to Remember LA. I'm so grateful that we were able to be apart of it this year. Thank you my friend.
My First Christmas
ReplyDeleteIn Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below with tiny light,
like Heavens, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please
wipe away the tear, For I am spending
Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that
people hold so dear. But the sounds of
music can't compare with the Christmas
Choir up here. I have no words to tell you,
the joy the voices bring, For it is beyond
description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift, from
my heavenly home above. I sent you
each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold. It was always most
important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as
my Father said to do. For I can't count
the blessings or love he has for each
of you.
So have a Merry Christmas
and wipe away that tear, Remember I
am spending Christmas with Jesus
Christ this year.
** This poem was written by a 13 year old Ben
to his mother before he died of a brain tumor.
He died in 1997, and that year his spent his
first Christmas with Jesus.
Cassie.Thank you for what you do & thank you for donating a gift on behalf of Nathan. He is very much loved and we miss him too! Thank you again for thinking of him. Jo's Sis-in-Law. <3
ReplyDelete