A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

by Carol R.

This is a story for anyone who has helped An Angel's Touch with a donation of gifts, food or money this Christmas. Although they have helped many people in small and large ways, I have heard this story from its sad beginning to its hopeful end.

There is a man, a single parent. He has a son, who is retarded/developmentally disabled. Years ago, he fought a bitter custody battle to win the right to raise his son, despite knowing of his disabilities. He loved his son. For a variety of reasons that aren't important here, he chose to make his living by selling collectibles and general stuff at flea markets and to dealers. As you can imagine, he survives on a minimum income, but has cared for his son well and seen to his further education in special high school classes. When he graduates, he will go on to school at Moraine Valley, a special program which will train him in custodial work, allowing him to make a living in years to come.

One Sunday morning, the man went out to start his van, which was loaded with his 'inventory'. The fuel pump exploded and the van plus his inventory were destroyed. At his wits end, with no money, no transportation and no hope, he went to his landlord and explained he would have to move and put his son in a group home, where the man knew he would languish without any further education. This, however, would allow this man to go back to the work he did as a young man, working on barges and ships with endless travel destinations in order to earn the money he so desperately needed. The man moved ahead with his plan, made the arrangements.... and could not go through with placing his son. He again talked with his landlord and said, "I don't know how, but I have to make it."

Enter An Angel's Touch.... The man has been supplied with basic food and necessities. They have also found a private owner to donate a used van to him. Another group of people have donated the cost of license plates, stickers and a tune-up for the vehicle. He was also being provided with a small amount of money to help purchase more stock. Others are searching their basements and attics to give him a little bit of inventory to begin again.

The man and his son, because of the goodness of people and a volunteer organization called An Angel's Touch, have been given the greatest gift of all this Christmas.... HOPE for the future.

Thank you to everyone who cared enough to share a small amount of what they had with Angel's Touch. This is only one story.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!