I have been reflecting on this project. I have been really reflecting.
Over the last 12 days I have received letters—letters of joy, wisdom, sorrow, and ultimately, of love. There have been stories from expecting mothers—one may be in the delivery room as we speak and one just had an Ethiopian court approve her adoption (please drop by and share you joy with her). And its not just the stories; some of you have written prayers over my wife and my children, and in effect, written prayers over each woman and children who will ultimately receive a copy of this project.
It is amazing.
How did we get here? Simply, this place has been created by the kindness of strangers. It is truly mind-blowing.
Shannon did not know me when I sent a random email to her. She did not have to respond. She did not have to post about it on her blog. But she did. And when you all read it, you did not have to pass it along to your friends. You could have slept on it. You could have passed on by. But you stopped, and thought, and offered your stories. And then, you passed the site along (see the ever growing blogroll and visit one or two).
Many of you have offered to help the project. Robin wrote about it on this incredible site (Blissfully Domestic-go check it out). She sponsored the badge-creating project. There were four awesome submissions, one which I accidentally forgot to send Robin’s way (so sorry). Lisa (see above) ultimately won the tied-up-contest, but man-oh-man were the other submissions top-notch! Please visit Blissfully Domestic to see the other submissions and visit their respective blogs and websites.
Others of you have offered encouragement to me, ideas (for presentation of the gift or otherwise), and general wisdom on how this blog-world works. Thank you so much! Please keep it coming. I could use a good idea now and then.
All of your letters and kind words have already blessed me. I cannot wait to see how it will bless my wife. As I have told most of you, I am humbled that you have chosen to share your stories. Please help me continue to gather them.
And if you find yourself in this little corner of the Internet, take some time to offer thanks for the kindness of strangers. And then, go find another stranger in need of a bit of encouragement and offer them the same hospitality. After all, it is Christmas.
Thanks again!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
No kidding I love the internet age. My best friend is in California and we got to ‘chat’ while I decorated my tree and she decorated her fire place and we drank cocoa. It felt like we were in the same room. How great is this community?
Danny (I almost typed your real name just now!)…this project just continues to blow my mind. Whether people have written letters to mothers or about mothering or regarding a struggle involving that topic, these letters are incredible! Many of them down right have me in tears!!!
I am just floored.
Cindy
I’m so proud of everyone. It makes my heart swell to think of how huge this got. Imagine if we all took on a project like this? I was thinking that the other day - what i could to similar to this for my husband.
Amazing, simply amazing.