Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The meaning of Christmas

I know I said I would be away from blogging until after the new year. But there is something I have to post about because it personifies the true meaning of friendship and Christmas.

Last Thursday, I posted part of my current manuscript playfully dubbed the Big “M.” It was a scene from my childhood. The chapter still feels like a lifetime away on some days, yet there are other times when such memories are still poignant to the heart.

Well, one of my blog readers happens to be a school principal. He read my story chapter and then visited a fourth grade class. He told them the meaning of it - that during my grade school days I was an outsider looking in - and about how important it is to always treat other kids well while being good friends.

Once hearing this, the children did a marvelous thing. The class took those words of friendship to heart. They all decided to make holiday cards with their well wishes. Then this principal packaged these cards and mailed them out . . .

. . . to me.

You cannot imagine the extraordinary good feelings I had when opening this large envelope and finding 27 holiday cards addressed to me. It’s . . . it’s still overwhelming to think about it even now. What a wonderful thing to open each card and take pride in all their work and to read their words without wetting the paper with my tears! Absolutely incredible.

Thank you, Students and Faculty. Your show of love and kindness is the true meaning of this holiday and how the simplest greetings can lead to the greatest gifts for someone. This truly was the best Christmas present I have ever gotten in my entire life.

And I wish to share this with all my readers. Please scroll below to view all the cards. This is my gift for all of you. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Feliz Navidad to all my friends! (Please click on each collage to enlarge.)





Merry Christmas!

30 comments:

  1. Could you have imagined a more magical gift?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know who was behind this. As with you, I won't compromise his secret identity, but he can rest assured that when we meet - something I dearly want, someday - he (and his lovely significant other, if she's there, and I hope she is) will be my guest for one of the most wonderful dinners Boston has to offer (or his locale, if it's there.)

    Absolutely bloody magnificent, this is.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, how sweet! What a wonderful Christmas surprise for you. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, Michelle! How awesome!

    This gift to you made me cry -not in sadness today (for the past yes, but not for today or the future) as it was happy tears falling, if you know what I mean.

    Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, God Jul and Peace my friend -today and for times to come.

    ReplyDelete
  5. well dangit, i'm and all choked up now. and THAT is the spirit of christmas. what a truly lovely gift. thank you for sharing it with us. thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is so sweet! Aww... Thanks for sharing! That is so heartwarming. I love Christmas time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Michelle...how absolutely incredible!!! Such a gift!!!! Truly unforgettable!!!! Love to you and yours...and many more holiday blessings!!!! ~Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful, Michelle.
    How incredible and kind.
    I wish you a Happy Christmas, good health and a Happy New year ~ Eddie
    x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Keep writing, Michelle. You have a gift, and it touched these kids in a way you probably did not imagine. And paid off in a dividend that is worth more than money ever will be.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year dear Michelle,
    xo
    Zuzana

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really like your blog. I am a first-time visitor, but I observe every site I submit a comment to. I have a humor blog myself, which I hope to be a top place for people to come and laugh. Life is hard enough and you sometimes need to just sit back and laugh a little.

    I'd like to exchange links with you to help spread traffic around to each. Keep up the good work. You can contact me by simply placing a comment on my site.

    Happy Holidays!

    Jason
    HilariousHeadlines.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. First off: Merry Christmas to everyone!!

    Suldog: I didn't want to say who or where the school is since it involves young children, and some had put their first names on the card. You better treat them right, or I'll come to Boston and make sure!

    Angie: It still stuns me.

    Jeni: I know what you mean. All my tears over this have been happy ones too!

    Lime: I think sometimes it takes children to remind adults what Christmas means. Not all kids think it's just about the presents.

    Nisa: Just opening the cards was a surprise and a wonderful gift to see what they drew/wrote.

    Sniffles and Smiles: It truly was, and it still chokes me up!

    Eddie: Absolutely fantastic what the students did. Kind holiday wishes back to you.

    Buckskins: Truly. This is what all children should know about Christmas. Love and Kindness!

    Zuzana: And to you also!

    Jason: Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  13. How lovely of him and them. I'm putting 2 and 2 together but I won't chirp what I'm thinking. Just beautiful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Michelle, this is truly awesome. Your story was very interesting and touching, but what you should really take away from this is how great an impact your writing has on us, your readers. To have made such an impression on so many people is truly inspiring. Nice job.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun gift! I know that was lots of fun! I love receiving cards! :-)

    happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  16. How truly wonderful - a great lesson for the children and a fab surprise/pleasure for you. So well deserved.
    Happy holidays, Michelle.
    Peace, Judi

    ReplyDelete
  17. Merry Christmas Michelle. The gift from the kids is priceless. Now you see why I spend so much energy with ours. When one of them publically thanks you, the water works starts. Look forward to the new year.
    Coach O

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing, Michelle... Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hilary: A truly wonderful surprise.

    Eric: I know. Every time I think about it, I come away with so many different emotions on so many levels. Not just at a personal level, but also as a writer.

    Colby: The cards I received this year were all wonderful... and a bit surprising to boot. Completely unexpected gifts from Santa. ;-)

    Catladylarew: I have to say that this will be the best Christmas I ever had, truly.

    Judy: I hope I gave the children something they'll carry for the rest of their lives. They certainly gave me something I'll treasure for just as long.

    Daryl: Merry Christmas!

    Coach O: I do undertstand. Children remind you what's most important in life. Merry Christmas.

    Buck: It was absolutely awesome to open up the package. Happy Holidays to you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Michelle...I don't have you on my reader (not sure how to get you there...) so I missed this until today (Dec. 26.) I am absolutely thrilled at the love...the outpouring of love here!
    Bless that principal. God bless him...I hope that he is reading this!
    Michelle...you have received an amazing gift...straight from the heart...and that warms mine beyond any words that I can share with you in this comment.
    I'm smiling....REAL big! I have the warmest feeling in my heart...for this principal...(and the principle that he has...) and for the children's cards.
    May we all be surrounded and absolutely covered with the love that is abundant in this world.
    Smiles to you, Michelle,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Teacher's Pet: Yes, he read it an emailed me. Such a wonderful thing for what he and the students did.

    ReplyDelete
  22. that is so sweet! Merry Christmas Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I cannot think of a more deserving person. Michelle you are truly a wonderful person. Wishing you the best in the coming year. With love...

    ReplyDelete
  24. How wonderful! That's a Christmas blessing you'll remember forever.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  25. You've received a wonderful gift. But let me tell you, you've given those kids a SPECTACULAR gift. A lesson they will learn that will help bring prejudice to extinction. If that's humanly possible...

    Proud to be your 100th follower.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am not surprised that your story inspired the children so. Christmas personified, that's what these lovely cards are. I am touched, Michelle you deserve all this and more.

    ReplyDelete
  27. There are far more good people out there than bad, of this I am cetain.

    Happy New Year bonny lass, have you made any resolutions for 2010? I hope it is to complete your book! ((x))

    ReplyDelete

People want to comment here? Okay...it's your two-cents, Bub. Spend it wisely!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails

ESPN NHL Standings