The kindness of strangers
It's no secret that I've been having a rough time lately. Hell, the last six years have been rough, to be honest.
Now, the people who read my web site only know a small part of me. This web site is not my best reflection. And while I have great friends, a wonderful and supportive husband, and a fantastic child, the one thing that this web site accurately depicts is how stressed out I am.
I am overwhelmed. I am in pain. I am tired.
And this election has really been stressing me out. I think because I am a mother now, it has made politics so much more important to me.
Our financial situation is not good, to put it mildly.
But, recently, the most amazing thing happened.
A couple of days after I wrote this post, I received an email from the director of membership for the New York City YMCA.- someone had anonymously donated a membership to my family.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (There are not enough exclamation points in the world!)
To say I am dumbfounded would be an understatement.
The director from the Y said that she had been working there for 15 years and she had never heard of this happening before.
Not only has this person purchased a membership for us, but they have also purchased 3 hours of personal training and 30 (!) hours of childcare.
She put me in contact with the Y in my neighborhood, and I just got back from signing the papers a little while ago.
The membership director there gave me an hour long tour, during which I burst in to tears.
The Y is AMAZING. Two swimming pools, a huge fitness center with fantastic cardio equipment, free yoga classes, free aerobic classes, etc., etc., etc.
I met two of the women who works in the childcare center- one has worked there for 13 years, the other one for 15.
As we were walking around the Y the director said hi to everyone by name. It has a real feeling of community.
As part of the membership we were given two free classes, so starting in November Willa and I will be taking a swimming class and a gym class.
I don't even know what to say about how much this gift means to me.
I'm not really sure what I did to deserve this. I'm sure there are people who are much more deserving.
But, this will change my life.
The only negative thing about this situation is that because it is anonymous, I don't get to hug this person, or bake them cookies, or tell them what this means to me and my family.
The only thing I can do is use the gift to better my life, and hope that one day I will be in a situation where I can give someone a similar gift.
Comments
oh Torrie that is incredible!!! This will be so awesome for you and Willa. I know you desperately need something like this, a break to do something for yourself, and also to do something fun with Willa. People truly are amazing sometimes :)
Posted by: Jen | October 30, 2008 10:27 PM
there are such good people in the world.
Posted by: Aimee Greeblemonkey | October 30, 2008 10:27 PM
Wow, and then wow.
Awesome! What a *fantastic* gift. I love knowing that there are people out there with such generosity and thoughtfulness. Good on you, whoever you are. (Torrie, if anybody deserves a break, it's you. Enjoy!)
Posted by: JJ | October 30, 2008 10:29 PM
"The only thing I can do is use the gift to better my life, and hope that one day I will be in a situation where I can give someone a similar gift."
You think the person who gave you the anonymous gift would rather have cookies, hugs and thanks ... or THAT?
Posted by: Nils | October 30, 2008 10:32 PM
What was that Anne Frank quote? Something like, "I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are good at heart."
Yes. Definitely.
Such a wonderful, generous gift. And even though it's anonymous, it's very personal in a roundabout way, because it's exactly what you needed. Just, WOW. I'm so happy that someone was able to help you and your family. Enjoy!
Posted by: Melissa | October 30, 2008 10:37 PM
It's so great to find a diamond in the mountain of douchebags, is it not?
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | October 30, 2008 10:38 PM
This post made my day! Aren't people fabulous?
Posted by: von Krankipantzen | October 30, 2008 10:40 PM
What a great story! I wish it could have been me...but it wasn't. May good, good things come of this membership for you, your family and the gift giver.
Posted by: Sara | October 30, 2008 10:41 PM
This post makes me so happy for you. :)
Posted by: Keely | October 30, 2008 10:44 PM
I'm so glad you like your local Y. It is a great place for families. I LOVE mine. I take my kids as soon as they're old enough to go to the nursery. 1 month old. They are that amazing with kids there and it feels ok.
Take advantage of the free time too. workout. take a shower. Even sit and read a magazine some days.
enjoy your awesome gift!!
Posted by: Kerry | October 30, 2008 10:46 PM
Oh wow. That is absolutely excellent.
So much love!
Posted by: Desiree Fawn | October 30, 2008 10:50 PM
ps. you should definitely submit this story to http://www.operationnice.com/
They would love to hear it, I bet!
Posted by: Desiree Fawn | October 30, 2008 10:53 PM
Some people talk the talk of "being the change" and others actually do it. One day you will pay this forward and you feel the same joy and peace that this anonymous donor did when they arranged for you to have this. And that day will be even sweeter than this one.
Posted by: Shana | October 31, 2008 12:00 AM
that is so amazing. people are incredible. and i agree - if anyone deserves a break its you!
do you think you can drop the poop-eating dog off at the nursery too? hee!
Posted by: Zoe | October 31, 2008 12:55 AM
That is an amazing gift.
Posted by: Annika | October 31, 2008 01:55 AM
Wow! That's so awesome, Torrie!
What a great thing to do, Anonymous Donor Person!
Posted by: mrtl | October 31, 2008 05:58 AM
What a blessing.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2008 10:39 AM
Wow, what an amazing thing to give to someone, especially without wanting anything in return. I'm touched. I'm sure you deserve it, though.
Posted by: Georgia | October 31, 2008 11:38 AM
That is so awesome. Congrats, you deserve it.
I'll tell you, the best thing you can do is one day do something nice for a stranger/friend who needs it. You'll know when and it won't matter how far in the future it is. What's that movie, pay it forward. I fully believe that's the only way to give back. Because I've done things for people and had things done for me and I did it, not needing a thank you. But knowing someone will pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself, is fully worth it.
Posted by: Issa | October 31, 2008 12:32 PM
Beautiful and wonderful. It's so nice to know that there are such wonderful people out there. This is an inspiration!
Posted by: Stephanie | October 31, 2008 01:06 PM
Torrie,
You are wrong. You DO deserve such a gift! God bless your anonymous donor!
Posted by: Farrell | October 31, 2008 03:14 PM
Another wow. Isn't it obvious that you have touched people?
Posted by: Neil | October 31, 2008 07:41 PM
I cried when I read this post. You deserve it. Plus exercise does improve your life. You're right, it will turn your life around. Congratulations.
Posted by: michele | October 31, 2008 09:35 PM
How sweet! I'm so glad that someone was able to do this for you.
How wonderful for you to receive this gift and how nice for us to hear about it!
Posted by: cristina | November 1, 2008 11:26 AM
Torrie,
I'm so happy for you! As someone with a truckload of physical problems,I can relate to your pain and despair of things ever improving.
Hoping that this gift will turn things around for you and get your health in the right direction.
What a wonderful thing that person did! You totally deserve it!
Posted by: Allison | November 2, 2008 04:54 PM
I bet you are doing exactly what the person that gave you membership wanted you to do. That Y is amazing - say hello to my FIL if you go to a yoga/pilates class....he'll be the only guy in them 9 times out of 10!
Posted by: Cass | November 3, 2008 09:56 AM
I'm crying because I'm so happy for you. What a wonderful, touching, completely selfless gift.
Posted by: bellacantare | November 3, 2008 04:40 PM
That's amazing, Torrie! It's so nice to know that someone out there would do something so kind for a stranger.
Posted by: Holly | November 4, 2008 07:06 AM
That's incredible, I'm so happy for you. And I know that whoever did this for you feels just as happy as you do right now, cause giving feels great.
Posted by: Sheri | November 4, 2008 02:34 PM