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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Small Act of Kindness

We can do no great things, only small things with great love.  ~Mother Teresa

Inspiration.  I've talked a lot about it recently (or thought a lot about it anyway). 

Today I feel like I've been presented an opportunity to help someone & I feel inspired to do so.  If you feel the same, please let me know.  I can use all the help I could get.  I know I have no special powers, I don't have mass amounts of money to give to those who need it, I don't have much influence on anyone save for a few close people... What I do have is a blog with less than 100 followers, a twitter following of 300 some odd folks who may or may not care what I tweet & I have a few resources.

I want to compile all of that & ask anyone reading this for help.

I'm not normally one of those people who announces when someone close to me has gotten ill or has passed away.  I'm not a person who puts on facebook "RIP Grandpa..." or someone else.  I'm just not.  I don't try to pretend I knew someone who was involved in an accident or someone who died, just to say I knew them.  What I am though, is someone who is compassionate (at least I think so) & when someone I do know is hurting, I want to help.  I need to help.


Four years ago or so, I met a group of wonderful ladies while I was planning my wedding.  We were all planning our weddings, our dream weddings.  We spoke almost daily & we confided in one another.  We have still kept in touch to this day.  Some more than others, but that's beside the point.  One of these women needs us.  She needs everyone.  

I think she's a pretty private woman, so I'd like to keep this as private as I can, given what I'm about to say (and she has NO idea that I'm doing this- I wouldn't want her to know if this fails).  Her husband was murdered.  Murdered.  Someone took his life.  Someone who probably didn't even know him & for no good reason, except that there are people in the world who do things like that.  

And she's 32 weeks pregnant with their first child.  Their child will never get to know his or her father...

And she's been laid off from work in the past month... 

And I'm imagining, she's as lost as anyone can be.  As hurting as anyone can be. 

My group of friends & I are planning on helping how we can.

I'm wondering if there's anyone else out there- who makes or sells baby products, that would like to help.  Or if there's anyone out there with a gently used item or two...  Based on her baby registry, she's planning on cloth diapering, at least part of the time.  They've asked for organic items- clothing & such... & chlorine free disposable newborn diapers & wipes.  They don't have a lot of family, nor a lot of money (as no one does in this economy, of course), & they weren't getting a baby shower...

ETA: They chose to be surprised about the baby's gender, so we don't know those details.  Most of the items they've registered for are green.  At this point, all I know that they have for sure, are the stroller, the crib & one set of bedding.  I'm unsure of anything else, but, knowing, how hectic the last two months were when I was pregnant with buying & planning, I'm assuming she doesn't have a lot of items, nor will she be feeling like she wants to get any...  

If you think you can help, or you know someone who would be interested in helping, please, please contact me at amandawallace526 at gmail dot com - subject line: Baby D. 

And please, if you are unable to help in any other way, just say a simple prayer (if that's what you do) or send good wishes to this beautiful woman who is about to become a mama.  She & her babe need happy thoughts now more than ever... 

I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.  
~Edward Everett Hale

I have compiled a small list of some items donated & still needed right here. Thank you so much!
On March 1st, Muggabug has offered to donate a portion of her sales to help Baby D!

14 comments:

Alisha said...

This is beautiful Mandy.

Well done.

(ps- thanks for making me tear up... again. today.)

Nifty Nappy Cloth Diapers said...

Mandy, you are an amazing friend! :) way to go mama!

Blue Moon Girl said...

Do you know if she's having a boy or a girl? If she's having a girl, I might be able to send you some of Darling Girl's too small clothes (I don't think any of it is organic though as I got almost all of it from consignment stores). But if any of it would help, I would be glad to send it.

amanda said...

Thank you to those of you who have already offered to help- you are nothing short of amazing, beautiful women!

BMG- They chose to keep the gender a secret...

I think it's okay if things are not organic, as most of us have high intentions that we aren't always able to follow through with. I was just trying to give an idea of their registry listing. :)

see see some said...

you need to contact matt logelin at http://www.mattlogelin.com ~he set up a foundation to help widows in his wife's name after she died the day after their daughter was born almost 2 years ago~ they give out grants for people who have children after their partner dies~

JayZ said...

Mandy, that was beautiful. You are amazing for doing what you can and asking others to help.

Unknown said...

where would we be sending stuff?

Margaret said...

I'm emailing you right now! Thanks for sharing this and caring as much as you do! I'm offering up some prayers and hoping I can help out in any way.

Piece Mama said...

Aww, so very sad. Mandy, I can try to help... I'll contact you via Twitter, too. Jewel

Anonymous said...

That was really beautiful Amanda. There I go, crying again.

Team Pitney said...

just sent you an email..
Elisha

Mama Campbell said...

My heart goes out to her! I will definitely pray for her family & am so glad she has a friend like you to help.

Mrs. G.I. Joe said...

OH Mandy...I can't even imagine. It just makes me cry for her. You are a wonderful friend. We are saying lots of prayers for her and her family.

Amanda said...

Mandy,

I'd love to help out in any way! :) Please let me know what items you all are still looking for, and I'll put out the word on my blog. Also I just started making cloth wipes, and hope to open an esty store soon. I could send her some of the wipes, but I don't have any gender neutral fabrics, so we could wait with those until baby arrives!

Shoot me an email and we'll keep in touch!!! YOU ROCK as a friend!!! Oh, and I'm going to go tweet this now and see if I can help some more!

Amanda (amongthemess@aol.com)