Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Birthday Cards That Transformed My Son


--by NJMaria, posted Jul 2, 2008

Back in October, I found a website -- wishuponahero.com -- that has changed my life for the better.  The site is all about people helping others out of the goodness of their heart, not expecting anything in return.

I am a single mom on SSI and have a developmentally delayed child. My son's 12th birthday was the 29th of October 2007 and knowing that I could not afford to get him anything at all for his birthday, I felt broken hearted.  I decided to post a wish on "Wish Upon A Hero" website for people to send my son birthday cards. I knew he loved to check the mailbox and always asked if there was anything for him. So, I thought that if he could get a few cards, it would make him smile and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be so upset that I wasn't able to get him anything.

Well, let me tell you, the cards just starting pouring in and my little sweetie was absolutely thrilled!  Every day more and more cards came and this went on for about three weeks. The smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes brought me to tears.

At the end of November, he starting thinking about Christmas and he already knew that there would not be much under the tree for him due to my finances, but it didn't seem to matter to him. All he talked about was how much he wanted to make other children smile.  He decided that what he wanted to do was earn money to buy Christmas cards and send them to other children from needy families.

My son went out daily and raked leaves and walked some dogs to make money. Not only did he make the money to buy the cards, but he also made enough money to buy all the stamps and lollipops to put in the cards. He sent out about 100 cards. Doing this brought him that same smile and sparkle in his eyes as did the birthday cards that he received. I was and am so proud of him. 

My son and Wish Upon a Hero have given me renewed hope that there are still people in this world that care about others.

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Readers Comments

JuneBug wrote: Thisis such a sweet story! You have every right to be proud of your son....:} Hugs to him and you!
lOVEBUG wrote: Life is indeed a circle. You ask something for your son, your son received and he passed it on, those who received from your son will pass it on and the circle will get larger. I see you as the instigator in all of this. You asked not for toys for your child, you asked for love and kindness and that is what he received and he shared the surplus. Thanks for asking for what truly is valuable in life. God Bless
brighteyes wrote: Loved your story....so much heart!

Glad he got those wonderful snail mail cards and smiles galore....I am known as the "Snail Mail Queen" and I am not doubly inspired to keep on sending cards, goodies, stick'ems knowing that DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Got to agree with LoveBug....you did a kindness, your son received a kindness from others who did a kindness then he is doing a kindness and the circle of kindness ripples out wider and wider and wider!!!! ;)
perseverance wrote: Great story it is We are proud of you an your sweet one.I will remember this all the time Thanks
NJMaria wrote: Thank you all for your kind words. As a mom or a parent, we try to teach our children to be productive, upstanding members of society with good moral values...I only have the one child, so I learn with him and from him new things daily. It just feels so good to see that already...at only 12 y/o...he has become everything that I had hoped he would, and I know without a doubt that he will continue to make a difference in the lives of others. What a great world it would be if we could all learn from his actions. It gives me renewed faith that peace is possible.
sabrina wrote: Yes it did renew hope for lot of other people too.GOD bless u and ur son for giving it to others.A BIG HUG TO UR SON!
Bluebell wrote: God Bless you and your son. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story.
Lovey wrote: Your SON needs the heads up...a 12 year old can make such a difference, i feel very guilty.I wish i can make a difference to someone and make smiles to last forever. Well done 'SON'
mandu wrote: great...a small child doing such a great job....!And me an elderly person ashamed of myself spending time to look after mysrlf
CindyLee wrote: NJMaria, You should be so very proud of your son, he is an angel. Angels come in different ways and he is definately one of them. As he gives he will get a whole lot more therefore, he is very rich and being rich in LOVE is the best thing ever.

Mandu, you should not be ashamed of yourself for spending time to look after yourself, because we have to take care of ourselves first befor we can ever take care of anyone else, and that is what people need to learn. So many people take care of everyone else and never get to themselves, so continue to take care of you and than yo can take care of someone else. Love & Light,
CindyLee

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