Pass It Forward: Giving Back

I can't believe it's nearly the end of 2013. I felt that this year has flown past. I bet you've heard this uttered by many. Life is never dull, that's for sure. As someone wise once said, you don't know happiness unless you've experienced sadness. So true. I'm very much aware that while I may not be considered wealthy in monetary terms, I am rich in many ways. My faith, family and health. In that order. Only my family would put up with my transformation into a grizzly bear every morning before copious amount of caffeine. I also need to go into my she-cave every now and then or else, I'll revert back into the feral mammal. Not a pretty sight.

What once was a journal to keep in touch with my family and friends back home has turned into a micro community of bloggers and readers. Last year, I started a Secret Santa tradition as a way of giving back to the community in Hampshire. Since I'm fairly anonymous/unknown entity in this region, I feel comfortable sharing the information here. Part of the proceeds earned from this blog and my consignment business goes to fund the Secret Santa project in December (and Tear Fund for the rest of the year). So thank you to all of you who'd clicked on the links, purchased items via this blog, sent your bags in to be consigned (you know who you are), all I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I dedicate this post to all of you.




There are 11 kids along with their mothers who have escaped abusive relationships to live in a secret and secure location. Many only brought what they could carry. Thanks to all of you, these kids will have presents this Christmas (donations and funding only cover the basics). I can only imagine how awful it must be for the kids to hear their friends discussing about the piles of Christmas presents they're getting and knowing they will have none.

Lil L and I raced over to a toy shop clutching a list given by the Women's Refuge and with the help of a shop assistant, we bought everything we needed and then carted/dragged everything home. Please avert your eyes from the hastily wrapped presents (can't do anything arty farty to save my life). Lil L was the perfect Santa helper.  The next morning, my friend, Tara came around and together we drove over to the house. Thank goodness, she's marvelous with directions. These presents will be given to the children's mothers who, will at least have the dignity of being able to hand over gifts to their kids this year.

The rest of the funds will be given anonymously to an individual who has experienced immense hardship. All this would not have been possible without your help. Hopefully next year, we'll be able to reach out to more.