Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Stockings of Kindness

I hold these two stockings close to my heart. When Dakotah was born premature and very sick we spent quite awhile in the NICU. While there at the hospital, we met a kind older lady fighting cancer. We both shared a bond of being in an unfamiliar place, working towards progress, and hoping for healing. A few months after we had returned home from the hospital, we received this surprise package from her in the mail!

She had intricately cross-stitched a stocking for each of my two boys! It meant so much to me, words can't convey my depth of appreciation I had for her. She was able to go home from the hospital too. Healing was a gift for both of our families and I will never forget her.


Since then, little Titus was born and he doesn't have a stocking to match.
So he has a different one that
he likes to keep in his room.
I held Dakotah's stocking that first Christmas with him and quietly studied every hand-stitch. My mind remembered visits with her as she chatted with my oldest during hospital waits. I wondered at what points in her life she learned to love through giving of herself.

Who taught her to do this?
Does she have any idea how she left a forever smile in someone's heart?
I've lost contact with her, but at Christmastime when I pull these stockings softly out I think of her as clearly as when we were in the hospital. I see her smile spread into her cheeks as she watched my oldest son play. I see her eyes hide the worry on her mind. I see her love that she gave so freely to strangers.

She taught our young, new family a valuable lesson in random acts of kindness.

We always hear at Christmastime how we should give more, love more, care more....
What if we actually did?
What if we gave with random acts of kindness?
What would happen?
What are the possibilities that you can forever impact someone's life?

I suppose we'll never know unless we try it.

Align CenterThis is Dakotah today.
Ironically, he interrupted this blog post
to show me a new creation he dreamed up in his creative mind
and built out of LEGO pieces with his busy hands.
He explained that it was Santa and the reindeer.
How cool is that?
Mama thinks it rocks.


This post is linked to: DIY Showoff

Don't forget to check out this post I have here on making the holidays easier and {almost} stress free!

19 comments:

Blogs said...

I love the stockings..I keep my kids baby stockings and hang them every year:) Sweet!

Jen said...

So many wonderful people touch our lives!

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

Lisa, those stockings are beautiful. I know how much must have gone into the stitching of those; what an amazing way to be blessed by someone else. Thanks for sharing this with us today. :)

{hugs!}
Jacky

Michelle said...

What a sweet story! Reminds me to seek out ways to show kindness to others this holiday season whether I know them or not.

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

What an extra special keepsake treasure! Gifts of love are the very best of all.

laterg8r said...

those stockings are fantastic :D

Jen said...

oh precious story:)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Wowzers - those are some intricate stockings - lucky guys.

b. said...

such a precious, touching story! those stockings are priceless!

it would be neat to find her... get caught up, see how she is!

by the way, i love what kotah made from those legos... he is adorable!

Becca said...

What a touching story! That's neat that you grew so much from such a scary experience. Did your mom decorate their tree by herself or did she have professional help. That is the most beautiful tree I've ever seen and I'm not exaggerating!

Kathleen Grace said...

Isn't that the sweetest thing? It is always so touching when someone who you would never expect to go to so much trouble does something so kind and generous!
I think Dakotahs Santa and reindeer rock!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That was an awesome gift from an awesome lady. I can't even imagine the time she took to do that! And your son's legos are pretty awesome, too, Lisa...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Amy Rainey said...

When we were in NICU one of the nurses told us that one day it would all seem like a dream. I must say that time was such a blur...trying to be there holding our little one as much as we were allowed...

What a precious treasure to have met this special lady. God had a purpose in your meeting. It is easy to see the impact that she had on your lives, and I am sure you must have had a huge impact on hers.

Abby Killam said...

what an amazing post... it gave me goosebumps. I am always wishing I could do more for others especially at this time of year- thank you for reminding me why... :o)

Jane said...

Isn't it a blessing that God brings special people into our lives at a time when we most need them. This woman was one of those people. And know that you brought her joy...you and your family. Thank you for sharing this touching experience with all of us. I know you will treasure these memories for the rest of your life...and that you will share it with your boys every year...so the story, and the act of kindness will live on.
Hugs,
Jane (artfully graced)

Clueless_Mama said...

Looks like he is going to be creative like his mama. I love it. Your post made me tear up! What a sweet gesture that woman made towards your family. I don't know why all people can't be that way. I wish @madisonmcgraw could read what you wrote here. I think maybe it would help to soften her heart towards the lady she is hurting so much on twitter that just lost her son. Thanks for such a beautiful post!

Jen @ homeinthecountry said...

What a beautiful story! And those stockings are so beautiful... Random acts of kindness are a good thing to do all year long, but especially at Christmastime!

Jenny said...

This is a lovely story. And so heartwarming to see all your healthy children now. Angels are everywhere.

Tardevil said...

How sweet. Have you ever thought of checking Peoplefinders.com to find her? She did a beautiful job, as did your son on Santa and the reindeer.