I've recently become a single parent and this is the first Christmas I'm solely financially responsible for. My son went into class yesterday and there was a huge bag of gifts that had been delivered from 'Santa'. Most of what was on his Christmas list was in the bag. I cried seeing the joy in his face and these presents weren't cheap at all. I don't know who you are, or what organization you run or how you knew we needed the help but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Driving north on Matchette this morning approaching Prince Rd. As I sat in traffic waiting for the light, I heard an ever-familiar whistle of a Crossing Guard. Just as the light was about to change, I saw an incredible sight. An amazing Crossing Guard in a full-blown Santa suit, beard, boots and all, sporting the Crossing Guard vest and stop sign. The kids were engaged for sure once on the sidewalk, including high-fives and waves. Such a nice thing to see in the morning. Kudos to this gentleman who gets the meaning of the season and passes it on! Made my day!

To the crossing guard at Prince and Tecumseh this morning December 16, you are fantastic! You were dressed as Santa Claus suit this morning, and were watching and waving excitedly to every car with children in it. My children LOVED it! You have been spotted. Merry Christmas!!

Isn't it interesting how the smallest act of kindness can change someone's entire day? As if only a simple smile/ compliment/ gesture is enough to completely alter even the nastiest of moods.. Imagine for a second,you're a single mother, working the graveyard shift 40+ hours a week (on next to no sleep mind you) with no benefits, but tons of debt. Insert seemingly unbearable amounts of added stress from family issues, health problems, and that damn car that always needs repairs. Oh, and did I mention it's almost Christma$ ? So there you are, running late for work when the gas light comes on. Perfect. You have two options, stop for obviously needed fuel, or continue on to get (equally necessary) coffee. Naturally, you go for the coffee, because at this point it's more imperative to keep your body functioning. The car can always be towed.. As you pull into the tims drive thru you notice a strange light pop up on your dashboard... 'Change oil soon'. Brilliant! With Christmas music cooning from the radio, you think to yourself 'Perhaps Santa could just bring me a whole new life?' You pull up to the speaker, place your order, and take out your wallet. You know, the same old wallet you've had for years, with the finicky zipper, that so kindly decides right now is the perfect time to completely break right off as you try to unzip. Bloody hell!! You want to yell, or cry, or just go back to bed, (possibly forever) because right now, at this moment, you're so exhausted that you feel like giving up. As if that tiny zipper malfunction created a domino effect, and all the emotions you've neatly kept in order, every single problem/ set back/ misfortune came rushing down & hit you all at once. All because of a zipper, on a wallet, that you've had for years & truthfully cost no more than 30$.
***if you're still reading, bear with me it gets better***
The 2 seconds it takes to make it from the intercom to the window feel like eternity. Youve managed to evaluate your entire life, & come to the conclusion that you 'hate' it before you could even make it to the window. The window with the kind lady who almost always knows you prefer your coffee in a large cup, 'just so it doesn't spill' in your car. The car that might need repairs, but you OWN, when not long ago you never imagined you'd even drive a car, let alone buy one. The window with the kind lady, and the 'usual' large cup, and the car that you own, that transports you to the job that may not have benefits, but in this city you're lucky to have at all. The window with the kind lady, the large cup, the car you own, the job you have and the wallet that holds the money you earn. Although minimum wage might not be much, there are people around the world working for nickels/ dimes. The window with the kind lady, the large cup, the car you own, the job you have, the wallet for cash, and the ability to buy Christmas gifts for a child you may have had to raise on your own, but are stronger/ smarter & blessed for it, considering else where in the world parents are simply just trying to keep their children alive...
The window with the kind lady, the large cup, the car you own, the job you have, the wallet with cash, the child you raised, the gifts you can afford, the life you often take for granted.. All at once you realized you were looking at life the wrong way, and all thanx to the kindness of a random stranger in the WHITE PICK UP TRUCK with the 'keep buying foreign' bumper sticker for buying your coffee at a moment when you almost lost hope...

So to you sir, thank you immensely!! I'm sure you didn't think much of it at the time, and you may never even read this post, but you restored my faith at a moment I needed it the most & for that I can never repay you. However, I did leave money for the order behind me, with the hopes that maybe it will help them as much as it did me..happy holidays :)

This evening I attended my daughter's first Christmas concert. I would like to thank all the hardworking child care providers at Garderie Franco-Sol Ste Marguerite D'Youville. It was a fun filled evening for the young and old alike. A special visit from Santa made for some beautiful Christmas magic. The lead ECE's along with supervisor, supervisor's children, resource teacher, part time students and cooks came together to volunteer their time for our families! Merci de votre generosite! Franco-Sol Ste Marguerite you have been spotted!

This year my little family sent out Christmas cards for the first time just to our friends and family, My sister was nice enough to drop off the cards at a nearby red street letter boxes on her way home since I didn't want to pack up my son to drop them off. Soon after she left I realized I forgot to leave behind my in-laws card since we were going to see them later that day so I didn't even bother to put postageom theirs. today they thanked me for the Christmas card to my confusion I asked if there was a stamp and when she replied no I was so thankful it made its way, I assumed they'd return it. So I would love to give all the mail carriers a shoutout because you guys are awesome and definitely don't get the praise you deserve and thank you!!!

I was having a late breakfast with my son (1,5 years old) and with my daughter (6 years old) last Friday at Marija's Place on Wyandotte E. When I asked for the bill, the waitress told me that a gentleman who was there earlier paid for our bill. I guess he is a regular at the restaurant and he doesn't have any children but likes to pay for families bills from time to time. I am grateful for his kindness and generosity. I will be paying it forward.
Thank you!

Just got back from having breakfast at Ten Friend's Diner
1400 Windsor Ave. Where can you get 2 eggs, 3 sausage, 2 pancakes,
toast, and coffee, all for $6 Bucks. You must give this place a try.
Open 9 to 2 everyday!!!