Posted on 01/01/2009 5:49:49 AM PST by Daffynition
Tire tracks in the driveway, footprints in the snow -- some left by the small boots of children, others adult-sized.
And 12 touching gifts left by people who came and went, silently, unseen, though their kindness will never be forgotten by a tough army major who lost both legs earlier this year while serving in Afghanistan.
The first gift arrived Dec. 13, when Mark and Donna Campbell's nine-year-old daughter came home to find a kit for making gingerbread houses had been left in front of the family's St. Albert home. Attached was a letter signed by "The Spirit of Christmas." The letter acknowledged the family's difficult year and expressed love and support.
"It's hard for us to say where the generosity is coming from," says Mark, whose wife sent letters to newspapers in hopes of finding their secret Santa.
"We feel we owed the people who did this some recognition and appreciation."
They've ruled out neighbours because of the tire tracks left in the snow. And the gifts were so perfectly suited to a young family, the Campbells think "The Spirit of Christmas" must have been organized by people who know them well.
"Not a lot of people know our situation, other than some people in the military, and also some close friends," says Donna. "We thought, 'Who could this be?' "
The gift-giving operation was so well organized that Mark thinks it smacks of military precision. But he is not convinced it wasn't simply organized by one of the many friends the couple has made during their nine years in St. Albert.
The gifts kept coming for 12 days.
The gingerbread house was followed by a stocking stuffed with movie passes, a penguin-shaped cookie jar filled with treats, and a giant Christmas puzzle.
"It rocked me back in my wheelchair," says Mark. "All I can say is, 'Wow.' Because you really don't expect that kind of thing unless it happens to you."
In June, he knelt on a landmine in Afghanistan's Panjwaii district. The 44-year-old father of two had both legs amputated above the knee as a result of the explosion.
The major will return to work in January, and wants to improve services for injured soldiers.
"When you read 'seriously injured,' imagine this in your head -- a guy with no legs or a 20-something-year-old who is blind or has no arm. That's the reality now," says Mark.
His wife, Donna, is a reservist who served in Croatia, so they knew an Afghanistan tour involved serious risks.
The thoughtfulness behind 12 days of gifts has made this Christmas special for the military couple.
"It wasn't what they gave us," says Donna. "It was just the whole idea of they wanted to make us have a nice Christmas. It was such a wonderful thing."
Major Mark Campbell lost his legs in Afghanistan -- he is the highest ranked soldier to have sustained such injuries there. Over Christmas, anonymous well-wishers left gifts at his house every night for 12 nights. Photo of Major Campbell and his wife Donna at their home in St. Albert.
Photograph by: Chris Schwarz/Edmonton Journal
God bless everyone involved in this. Best wishes to Major Campbell and his family. Heroes all.
God bless bttt
“Thoughtfulness” is a perfect word for this act of kindness. It warms my heart that there are still people who can think of doing something like this in this day and age and carry through on that thought and act without feeling it necessary to be rewarded for that act by recognition.
The people who did this will be rewarded ten thousand times over in their father’s kingdom.
Crying in my coffee now.
God bless this family.
Prayers of blessings for this soldiers family.
I am too! Stories like this restores my faith in humanity.
God bless them all.
yes, me too... May the Grace of our One God... be with all those involved...and you and yours too..
Amen.
Amen.
God bless this family. Thanks for this story, Daffynition.
Secre Santa Ping, Lily, Red, and N. Yankee.
That is the key, as you so aptly point out ... true kindness is it's own reward and is best done without any fanfare. Bless the family who gave so much and the neighbors who understand the true meaning of the Holiday.
Wow. That’s quite poignant.
Very nice.
God Bless Canada’s Afghanistan Vets.
I’m inspired. I think this story represents the true meaning of of Christmas and the way I would like to celebrate Jesus birth. In the coming year, I am going to give more thought to doing this kind of thing and try harder to find someone to help throughout the year, not just at Christmas.
My brother, who recently became a single father with two small children, was also blessed somewhat like this. A friend brought over a huge bundle filled with holiday food that his church had gathered. I was a bit surprised that my brother, who can be proud, was delighted with the gift.
Good reminder, lily.
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