a feel good moment...

so, i started going through clothes that are upstairs in piles and i received a call from my daughter, who works at a homeless shelter in glen burnie two nights a week.  she says "mom, i don't mean to be rude or anything because i don't think you were ever this big, but do you have anything at all in 3x, like some oversize sweatshirts or something?'



my response was "babe, i'm flattered, but EVERYTHING i owned pre-surgery was 3x and 4x." 

anyway, the reason she was asking is because they had a girl come in tonight that just turned 18 years old.  she never knew her father and lost her mother to drug abuse years ago and entered into the foster care system, where she remained until today.  having turned 18 and no longer in school, her foster parents gave her the heave ho because they no longer will receive money for her care.  the kid had no place whatsoever to go and... get this... the foster parent drove her to the shelter!



lindsey said that girl only had some t-shirts.  so, i went upstairs and pulled out several sets of warm pants and matching warm tops and a couple sweaters and even a robe and a pair of jeans that i was hoping might fit her.  my daughter runs home to get it and says, "which four things do you think would most likely fit her?"  and i'm like "why four?" and she says "she's only allowed to take four items of clothing from the shelter."



so, i asked my daughter "what is her name?" and she told me her first name.  so i went downstairs and wrote a note to her that said "dear so&so:  here are your clothes that you left at my house.  i have asked lindsey to deliver them to you.  hope you are well.  good luck.  love, pamela."  i then put them in a duffle bag for her.  my daughter laughed and said "okay, i'll try."



she just called me to tell me "it worked.  i was able to give her the bag because of your note."



i knew i would be giving a lot of clothes away once i lost weight from this surgery.  however, i never thought i would actually get to experience a "feel good" moment, knowing that someone that really needs those clothes can now use them.

Pam that was beyond sweet of you.  Not only did you give her clothes, but you probably gave her hope.  And SHAME on the foster parent!!!!  These are the type of people who foster simply for the monetary reasons, not for the RIGHT reasons.  Bless you and your daughter!!!!  Does the girl have anywhere to go?

the thing is.. i would have been giving these clothes away anyway, so in many regards, i don't feel like i really did anything more than what we all probably do with many of these clothes.  the difference is that we never really get the benefit of knowing who/how we helped someone.  so, that was nice.

as for the girl.. i have no idea.  my daughter probably told me more than she was really allowed to tell me.  the sad part is that she can only stay at the shelter for two weeks.  i really hope they can help her out.  this time of year..... with it getting so cold outside and with holidays around the corner... just sucks when you think about people that are homeless.  :-(

Oh I know Pam, but someone must be looking over that girl for her to be working with your daughter, you to have the right size clothes, and plenty to give to help her.  Hopefully whomever it might be (maybe her mother from above) will continue to look over her and will continue guiding her in the right direction. 

WOW! What a great story! It brought a tear to my eye! You should definitely feel proud for what you just did! I really hope everything works out for the girl!

That is so awesome!!  I know I had a stock pile of clothing that I was going to take to the shelter but, a lady who works for my husband did just about the same thing you daughter did except the woman belonged to her church.  It seems the lady was in an abusive marriage and was staying at the home of a church member basically hiding from her husband.  She left with the clothes on her back and had nothing. 

I was more than willing to part with my 3 & 4 x's plus, the lady worked as a nursing assistant and had no clothing for work.  Raquel (Dan's employee) knew I had lost weight and thought I might have scrubs that would fit.  I gave her EVERYTHING.  Scrubs, everyday clothing, coats. It was really nice to know that someone was going to benefit from those clothes.

Pam,

What a beautiful story. That you so much for sharing. You have given me pause to think. I too have tons of clothes that I have been meaning to donate. Before I do, though, I am now going to contact the hisband of a friend of mine who runs a homeless shelter to see if there is a need for any of my stuff. I not only have 3x and 4x, but even larger than that!

Thanks Again!

Debbie

Nicely done. Poor thing--can you imagine being that disposable to someone because of money. At least she will be warm and comfortable in the clothes--good job working that note!!

See you at group!

Denise

That was so very sweet of you honey. Quick thinking too in regards to the note. That was above and beyond. (((Hugs))) Why is she only allowed to stay at the shelter for 2 weeks? Where will she go and this close to Christmas? That  just breaks my heart. Maybe the Lighthouse Shelter on West Street in Annapolis has a bed available. That is more long term. We donate clothes, bedding and food to them yearly. Its worth a shot if someone can call them. It just kills me that she doesnt have a family at age 18. That is so very sad. ;o(  ~Jilly~

i am not sure about the two week thing, but i'm going to find out.  i don't know a lot about how the shelters run in aaco.  i'm going to talk to the lady for whom my daughter is working and see if i can learn more.