Happy ???? Holidays

Last year on December 9th Gavin passed away in my arms at Duke University Medical Center.  As the anniversary of the day he earned his angel wings approaches, I am finding myself missing him so very much.  I do my best to put on my smile when I hear "Merry Christmas"  or "Happy Holidays".  However, in my heart, I would just rather sit this one out this year.  Unfortunately, that's not an option.  I have two other kids that depend on me.  I have to force a smile for them.  So I will hang my stockings by the chimney with care and hope that Saint Nicholas soon will be here.

I long to be purchasing Christmas toys for my little man.  Instead, in order to keep my mind occupied and to honor Gavin's memory, I will shop for toys for the children forced to be confined to the hospital during Christmas.  If anyone would like to contribute to this toy drive, please contact me and I will make arrangements to pick the toys up.  Email giftsfromg@gmail.com.

“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

It is no secret in our home that I feel it is important to give back and help others anyway we can.  This is a quality I am working to instill in my children.   During the past 9 years, as a family we have struggled financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  So many of our family and friends helped during these struggles.  Many strangers who learned of our story came to offer assistance as well.   The help came in so many different ways.  We received financial assistance, food, offers to watch our kids, clean our house, or just an ear to listen or shoulder to cry on.  These things lightened our burdens during the most difficult time in our lives.  Because of the huge impact these acts of kindness had on us, I became determined to give back in some way.  

Gavin had many extended hospital stays.  We spent many holidays with our hospital family.  Although these folks were family to us, being in the hospital during the holidays was extremely difficult.   During our many hospital visits we learned that when the holidays approached the doctors would send all the children home that they could.  Only the sickest children stayed during the holidays.  For this reason, we are collecting toys to deliver to the kids hospitalized during the holidays.  It is our hope to make their holidays a little brighter.   

Toy Drive

We will be delivering toys to the children at Duke University Medical Center on December 22nd.  It is our hope that we can make the holidays a little brighter for kids forced to be hospitalized during Christmas.

We will be happy to pick up toys anywhere in the Triangle area.  You may email me at giftsfromg@gmail.com to arrange a time.

This year to honor the life of Gavin Lee Bailey, we will be collecting unwrapped toys to deliver to the children hospitalized at Duke Children's Health Center. Gavin spent many of his holidays at Duke. Being in the hospital is never easy. Being in the hospital during the holidays is extremely challenging. Please donate to help make a child's holidays a little brighter. (We will be happy to pick up toys in the Triangle area or message me and I will provide an address for shipping.)