Thanks to The Kossacks Who Saved Christmas. Which is a story I am going to write for my grandkids so that they can learn about caring, generosity and the kindness of strangers who saved Christmas for them. And about the importance of paying it forward and helping others down the way.
Thank you all so much :)
Original diary below:
I feel like such a flake. However, I'd walk through fire for my grandkids, so feeling a little flaky is mild in comparison. My grandchildren are cute, smart, funny--and, as it stands right now, will have little or nothing to open on Christmas morning.
See, here is what happened, as far as I can figure out. My daughter, who is going through issues of her own, was counting on the smaller children's father to give her money in order to buy gifts for the kids. For some reason (and I don't know why, as he is usually very good about stuff like this) he is not going to be able to do that, which apparently she just found out in the last couple of days. My daughter called me in a panic because "Mom" always has a little extra money somewhere. Except, not this time. Not this year. The gates of hell have rooted up this year and parked themselves on my doorstep, smoking and smoldering and just waiting for me to try and take a step forward. With help, I am putting out the fire, but I live balanced on a very sharp edge at the moment and I just don't have the wherewithal to deal with this emergency.
I am as anti-consumerism as the next fed-up person, by the way (I live very simply), and thought of other things she might do with the children -- but they are four and seven and, well, they expect Christmas to come, just like it has every other year.
I've tried a number of things and people to attempt to get help, but it's so late that the some avenues are closed, people are already traveling for the holiday and are unreachable and, well, my rope has ended again. And, so, I find myself here again, seeing if anyone can lend a hand. I, and my little family, will be so appreciative if so. And, of course, kind and encouraging thoughts are always just as welcome and as much appreciated.
I have a Paypal account--my email address for that is +++++++ / I also have a direct link (I think). paypal link? . So far I have not had any luck figuring out the direct paypal link, but that might be it. (I think this link works!)
Thanks for reading, and may everyone have the best of holidays, or just the best of days, whatever you are celebrating.
ETA: I will, of course, pay back any funds that anyone sees fit to lend, though not right away, (or pay forward, should that be the case.)