HomeContact MeSeasonalInspirationGardens

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A Little Healing Christmas Tree For The Children




Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  We are having extra cold weather in Southern California with wind and rain and we are delighted to have a change in the weather - there is a feeling of Christmas in the air. Come into my kitchen and sit and relax for a few minutes with a cup of hot apple cider and a cookie while I share with you some beautiful and heart warming acts that are going on in our neighborhood  to honor and reach out to everyone involved in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary to let them know how much we care.

By now most of you have probably read about the move started on the Internet and social media to preform a random act of kindness in memory of the Sandy Hook victims.



 





Actually it all started  with me when a neighbor put up a little Christmas tree in his yard with a note that it was for the children at Sandy Hook - it was on a little table with a note to fill out a card with a message for Sandy Hook and hang it on the tree .  It started raining right after he put up the tree but that did not stop people from leaving notes - he simply covered the tree with plastic to protect the notes from the rain.








Today it is not raining and the little tree has been uncovered.  It is so heartwarming to see children stopping by to write a card and hang it on the tree.





The little tree  was just the beginning - I heard about people letting someone get in front of them in the grocery store line, going out of their way to smile at a stranger, baking cookies and taking them to the Fire Station and Police Station,  giving out rain ponchos and blankets to those living on the street, dropping off toys at the local fire station for the Spark of Love Toy Drive, and other random acts of kindness.


Bentley, my Studio Assistant, and I took  an early walk over to our neighbors house who put out the little Christmas tree and left  him a note with a plate of Christmas cookies thanking him for the little tree and what he did for Sandy Hook and letting him know that he inspired me to pay it forward and perform a Random of Act of kindness.  I kind of felt like a 'Secret Santa" as we snuck on his porch while he and his wife were sleeping  to leave a note and cookies and it felt good knowing that I was doing a little something nice for my neighbor and his wife.



I am beginning to understand that there can be a sense of healing when  performing  an Act of Kindness in memory of the Sandy Hook Victims, and now I am going to participate with all of the other people who are performing #26 Acts. I feel like I am doing something in addition to praying and I am looking for little ways to do something special for strangers and or neighbors.  I planted pots of Paper whites to bloom for Christmas and now plan on sharing them with neighbors who are shut ins by leaving a pot on their porch with a little  note that it was  to honor the Sandy Hook victims.




Wishing you and your family and the Sandy Hook families  Blessings, Healing, Love, Hope, Faith and a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.    Erin
  







"This will be a sign to you - you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manager."   Luke 2:12


8 comments:

GardenOfDaisies said...

26 acts of kindness. That is a step in the right direction for healing this world. I love your idea to pot paperwhites and share them with your neighbors. A very sweet gesture.

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

That is wonderful! I love it!

Stacey said...

Erin, I love this idea. Random Acts of Kindness have been on my mind for some time. Doing so in honor of a terrible event like this is a great way to help us all heal. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Mary said...

Hello from rainy England Erin!

This is all so lovely - thanks for sharing. Bentley looks handsome as always.

Sending greetings for the Christmas season - and as they say here HAPPY CHRISTMAS dear

Hugs - MARY

Anonymous said...

That is a very generous idea of yours, Erin.
The world needs healing, people need love and help. With your gesture you give them hope and faith.

Merry Christmas.

"Paix aux hommes de bonne volonté"
Hélène

Unknown said...

This is so lovely, so touching and so healing. Thank you for the joy that you spread with your sensitivity, creativity and your heart, Erin. Please give Bentley a kiss for me...I adore him!

Blessed Christmas and Peace on Earth

Vicki Boster said...

Erin-- such a beautiful and touching post.,The tree is a lovely token of tribute for the children-- we are all at a loss as to what to do in the face of this tragedy., this story touches all of our hearts--
Vicki

Kathryn said...

Such a beautiful post Erin. Thanks for sharing it. Peace on Earth. Merry Merry. Kathryn :)