Day 2: Gifts and more gifts

Trying to settle in a bit at the hotel the evening of October 7^th.  It was a Tuesday. We had decided I was not going to work until next week. The kids wanted to go back to school tomorrow and we thought it would be better for them to get back into some normalcy. (Although there was a new normal.)  Our friends had called and texted that they needed to stop by the hotel and drop some things off…  I had no idea what that meant.

            First, dinner.  The first of many, many meals to bless us. Then, the bags, baskets, and envelopes.  I could not ever describe to you the feeling of pure emotion. I was choking back tears as we opened envelopes of prayers, well wishes, love and kindness. Some envelopes were just filled with cash. Some with gift-cards for meals and groceries. Some signed from co-workers, some from parents of students I teach now and some from families I taught years ago. Some cards with scriptures. Some with quotes. All in shock that this could even happen, let alone happen to us.

            One basket in particular that was delivered that first night in the hotel was so incredibly helpful.  If you ever know someone that goes through something like this, this would be the best thing to give him or her.  You may think, “These items are so trivial. So simple!” But that is what made them so incredibly valuable to us right away.  It was a small, black plastic laundry basket. Oval-shaped and not that deep. Inside was nail clippers, white socks of all sizes, shampoo & conditioner, a pair of scissors, a package of pens and pencils, make-up remover, a few pairs of gloves, an umbrella, tweezers, a multi-package of toothbrushes and toothpaste, a steno book, a package of candy, a couple hairbrushes, a trial size can of mousse and hairspray, Chapstick, and a few scarves from the Dollar Tree. There were probably more little things I cannot remember, but those items were the things we used IMMEDIATELY. I remember needing those scissors to cut the tags off the new clothes in some of the bags. Even a huge bag from R’s boyfriend’s mom. She had gone to Target and bought clothes for ALL of us. I could not cry anymore. The tears ran out.  All I could think of was THANK GOD. Thank God for keeping us safe. Thank God for bringing us here. Thank God for all these people caring for us instantly.