How Ayla's Stocking Helped #lighttheworld

I realized in the hustle and bustle of Christmas that I never did wrap up my experiences with Ayla's Stocking this year. Of all the years I have done this project, year four was the best. I have never been so humbled. Each year my church does some sort of project associated with Christmas and this year their initiative was #lighttheworld. Essentially every day there was some sort of service activity idea that was given so that we could lift the spirits of those around us through service. 

Naturally I really enjoyed reading and following what each person on my social media page was doing, particularly with their children. It seemed everywhere I looked people were lifting others up. I know very well how much one person can do. Even if they feel that their efforts are inadequate. 

I learned a great deal during my days spent in the Children's Hospital and one was that it is okay to ask for help. And to graciously accept it when given; Ayla's Stocking has shown me that this year once again. I had no clue how many happy tears were heading my way.

Every year it’s been growing and this year I was able to partner with the website justserve.ca to collect donations in Calgary. At home I had sent out my regular fliers in the middle of November and out of nowhere it seemed, I began to receive donations. Some even dropped off anonymously--next year I will catch you and be able to thank you in person!

Over the next month my home began to fill with gifts for the children and they continually grew in number. It always amazes me how much people, if given the opportunity, give to others. It got to the point that we knew that our car was not large enough to transport the gifts to Calgary so we had to rent a SUV to accommodate them. We filled the entire trunk and we hadn't even picked up the gifts from Calgary yet! I don't know what I was expecting but when I arrived at my aunt and uncle's place to gather the toys that had been dropped off there I saw an equal (if not more) amount than we had at my home. There were two wards in Calgary that had kindly donated quite a few items as part of their ward Christmas party festivities. With both places collected we filled the trunks of the SUV,  my uncle's van, plus about $700 in gift cards.

You have no idea what that means to me. To see all those toys and knowing that the kids in the hospital will not only be receiving those gifts, but be able to shop for gifts for their own families, fills my soul with unimaginable joy. As a person who has been on the receiving end of kindness I can attest that it means more then you can imagine. 

This Christmas season I learned lighting the world is not about what one single person can do. Rather what the whole world can do consecutively. If it weren’t for caring and giving people I would not be able to do this. So in reality it wasn’t just me who lit the world…it was all of us in our own ways. 

If I could thank each and every one of you in person I would. My life was drastically changed this day four years ago and I didn't know how I could ever feel joy again. There has not been one day that has gone by that I don't think about my sweet Ayla Carol Jacquline and everything she taught me about unconditional love, patience, and sacrifice. But, despite thinking my life would never feel full again I have found it has turned out more amazing then I could have ever imagined! Every single one of you has touched my life and helped me to see the good in the world. For that, I will never thank you enough.

I'm always sad to wrap up Ayla's Stocking but I can't wait to see what is in store for next year!

I know that Ayla is never far. Typically the days leading up to her angel day are difficult but this year it hasn't been as bad as in previous years. She is always close and I know that she has a hand in my life. And really the ache my heart feels just means she existed. Loved ones never truly leave and that's such a comfort to me. As my cousin Charlotte Wilson said in a blog post four years ago; "Allowing ourselves to experience sorrow opens singular understanding of Christ's sacrifice, and sorrow on behalf of another refines and sanctifies our hearts. Sorrow begets empathy, which evolves into charity. Sorrow is divine, and when we experience it, we must allow it to transform our souls."