Angel Tree

Morgan was supposed to have been our Christmas present last year, with a due date of December 10th. This year would have been her first "real" Christmas where she might have some idea of what was going on and be able to play with the pile of toys she surely would have gotten.

Last week,  while discussing our future family, my husband told me, "We have a lot of love to give".  This is true, and while I would love to pour that love on our baby girl, that is not to be.  But, I thought it would be a good idea to pour that love on another little girl Morgan's age by adopting an Angel from the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.

If you're not familiar with the program, families who are unable to provide holiday gifts to their children can sign up with the Angel Tree program.  The parent lists a couple of needs and a couple of wants. Individual children (or entire families) can be adopted.  The Salvation Army suggests filling the need plus 2-3 toys.

It's funny, I felt really good to have had this idea, and went into the room where C was to tell him about it.  By the time I walked across the house, I could barely get the words out.  They give you the option to select the Angel from the trees at the mall or online.  I chose the online option, as you can filter by age and gender, and I had no intention of going to the mall this weekend.  Doing so was a good option, as that also made me cry.  It hurt my heart to see eight one year old girls were in need and had not yet been selected.  Especially with the donation deadline coming up next week.

Parents of the children don't ask for much.  Our child needed clothes and wanted a push toy and a doll. We got her a couple of outfits and the toys.  Since I'm no longer in school, we had it to give.  I'm pretty sure we would have spent way more on Morgan, just to watch her put the boxes on her head!

I don't know what happens to the kids who aren't chosen.  But if you can, and you're looking for a positive way to deal with missing your baby, this might be an option.