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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 'Carol' screenings benefit AIFF ... Boys Scouts to pick up trees Saturday ... Ashland man arrested for alleged sex abuse of minor ... 'Carol' screenings benefit AIFF ... Boys Scouts to pick up trees Saturday ... Ashland man arrested for alleged sex abuse of minor ... LETTER AT LENGTH A note of thanks for Christmas kindness Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Every year, my dad sends a check in the mail so that I can buy my kids and me something nice for Christmas. He’s usually pretty generous, so it’s always exciting when we get his card in the mail. This year has been extremely difficult for our little family, and I needed most of my dad’s gift money to get caught up on bills. I’ve been a little down about not being able to do a lot for the kids and hadn’t even gone out yet to shop for them yet. Sunday morning, I woke up to a thump on the roof around 6 a.m. I figure it was a well-sodden ponderosa branch. I looked outside and saw big, beautiful snowflakes piling up all around. Three little kids I know were going to be really excited in a few hours. As soon as my middle child woke, I opened the curtain and showed him the snow. He jumped out of bed and ran outside in his socks and stuck out his tongue. Finally, a good day. I dressed him and forced on his coat and we raced to Bi-Mart (at 10 mph) to spend our Christmas money. We picked out boots, snow pants and a couple of sleds — and a package of donuts because you’re only a kid once. The cashier rang up our order and I ran my card through the machine. She gave me a blank look. It was declined. I was numb, but this has become the new normal. I told my son, “We don’t have enough for the sleds. We’ll get the boots and the pants to keep you dry and we can improvise some kind of sled.” I tried to block the thought of the meltdown that would be coming at some point between there and the parking lot. Without my own bag, I picked up the boots and pants and preservative-laden donuts and headed for the door. The cashier gave me a look and said, “Don’t forget your sleds.” The woman behind us in line had heard our conversation and shelled out the $20 I was short. A year’s worth of crappy days that had been pushed down welled to the surface. My hands were full, otherwise I would have given this person a hug. I awkwardly kissed her cheek instead. Experiences are remembered, sometimes for a lifetime. Trendy toys, not so much. Hopefully, my kids will remember how much fun they had sledding that day and how their dog chased them down the hill. They built a snowman and threw snowballs and walked home exhausted and hungry. Donuts only go so far. Hopefully, when they are grown and remembering that year we had in Ashland when we didn’t have much and Mom was not her usual self, they will remember sledding and having a brother stuff snow down their backs. I will remember the woman behind me in line, the volunteers at the food bank, the school that adopted us for Christmas, and the compassion that offsets the darkness in our world. Thank you to everyone who care and help. With gratitude, J. Simpson Ashland DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501