Kindness of Strangers.

Angels, people call someone an angel. Do we really think about what it means? Well, this blog is to say thank you to my "angels"
As you know, I'm in a wheelchair, now to get back to work, I need a good outdoor one. I was approached by a lady, asking if I would mind her, and a few girls, raising some money to help me get this chair. I was astounded, didn't really know what to say, escpecially as I was in hospital indefinately at that point. Next thing, I was invited to a photo shoot, and presented with a huge cheque for £1210. I could not believe it! The ladies from the Your Move Office in Glenrothes had held a spirtualist night and raised the funds that way. Local folk had offered raffle prizes and local business' offered a couple of large prizes too!!
I was still in a relative state of shock when I recieved another call, this time from a lady in a bagpipe band up northern Scotland, Old Meldrum Pipe Band. All the men, after the biggest competittion in Scotland had their arms and legs WAXED! The women being the ones having a shot of each man!!!! They raised £600. A wee lassie from the band was also climbing a local mountain, she had raised over £50!! All by herself! , I wont give her name as she is under 16. She is another Angel
I could not believe it. So many folk had put their hands in their pockets, for me, and also for a stranger, I don't know half of them, and they, don't know me either.
Further fundraising was done by my employer, he had a tin going round the highland games, and had collected £600 for me AGAIN!
I found it hard to convey my thanks to everyone, how to show my appreciation, how to convey my total gratitude.
I came out of hospital 20th Sept. I had been a member of a dog handler chatroom for sometime, around 4 YRS in total. It turned out, they had, in fact, telephoned round all the local hopsitals in an effort to track me down, I had no way of contacting them as it is a tiny wee hospital, only 3 wards! They sent me cards galore, it was amazing, I savoured every one, still have them, stil look at them and wonder what each one of them is like! I recieved mail from one lady in America last week, she'd sent me a gift card towards the chair, then, two days later, another letter arrived, this one also contained a donation. Now I've never met these women, I've only been chatting to them over the years, it just goes to show, Strangers are often most kind. We have shared each others ups and downs in the chatroom, aided where able, given or recieved advice, the room almost becoming family to some members who live alone.Truely, in the world, at a time when we feel personal contacts are dewindling with the invention of E mails ect, there are still REAL women and men out there who have giant hearst, and, are willing to share them.
Next time someone hands me a sponsership form, I wont turn round and say, "Oh no! Another one", "what's it for this time?" "stick me down for a fiver!" After being the recipient of these efforts, I can only imagine the joy and delight others will have after recieving the equipment or funds from such a venture.
I have decided tho, when I do get my new chair, I'm going to save up, go to America, meet these women and take them out for a thank you meal. I will be able to thank all the folks involved in the Highland Games scene as I travel round Europe.
Kindness and warmth of heart have not passed with time. Behind the telephone, or, computer screen, real people live.
I'm sure we all have the ability to help someone else, I'm sure we all do, next time, I'm really goin to think about the recipient, and what a massive help this has been for me. And, how, life-changing one wee gift can be.


This blog is really just me trying to sum up my feelings. This has been one very emotional weekend for me. I'd never expected anything like this.
There are angels out there.. We, just need to let them fly and do their thing!!

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