A few days ago I posted about why I donate, and asked that some of you share your reasons. Not only does it help us get to know each other, I find it very inspiring to see what drive so many goodhearted people. In short order I heard from Sandie P by way of a comment, which I posted yesterday. I've gotten emails from our friend Wendy H, who's post is here.
Here then is Diana K's (from Georgia) incredible story. You might need a hanky for this folks. It's truly heartwarming, inspiring, and sad, all at the same time. Thank you Diana K. for sharing.Why I donate.
As I look back on my 76 years of life I realize I have been so very blessed by our God.
I could have been born in Hungary where my father was born except my widowed grandmother took her three children to America just before WWII. In January 1945, 32,000 ethnic Germans from within Hungary were arrested and transported to the Soviet Union as forced laborers. In some villages, the entire adult population were taken to labor camps in the Donets Basin. Many died there as a result of hardships and ill-treatment. Overall, between 100,000 and 170,000 Hungarian ethnic Germans were transported to the Soviet Union. I was ten in 1945 and could have been there.
I had a stable family. My parents loved each other and through thick and thin stayed together until death in their later years. So many children come from broken homes, unwanted, mistreated.
Although I was born during the Great Depression I never was homeless, never hungry, always had a place to get in out of the cold. I lacked nothing.
I’ve have a long happy marriage of 58 years with two children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Through inevitable trials and testing I have always been surrounded by those I love and who love me - never alone.
As I and look around me and see the hardships and misery of others not so well blessed my heart breaks for them.
Physically I cannot do a great deal any more but I can take up some yarn and create something to make life a little easier for others who have not been as blessed as I have been.
I pray that if disaster happens to me there will be someone out there who cares enough to relieve my suffering.
**This is a marvelous story of the human spirit. The Pink Lilly is the first of it's group to bloom in my backyard.**
2012 Donations:
Hats: 382
Scarves: 247
Slippers: 79
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 22
Mittens: 147
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 183
Cotton Washcloths 354
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc)
All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!
What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing. And Sandy---you are quite the gardener!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sue this is a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteWonderful and educational story. Love all the flower pictures Sandy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, Sherry and SSeger for your thoughtful comments, greatly appreciate. Glad you're all enjoying the flowers too.
ReplyDelete