Isaiah Joseph,

One year ago today, I wrote to you about going to Kids Hurt Too and your siblings receiving a Christmas gift from them. I was so grateful that day. Coincidentally, I had to drive down to the Caring Place today to pick up the things for your siblings.

Back in November, I got an email from them asking if anyone needed any help this holiday season. I figured that there were other people out there who needed things more than us, so I didn’t respond. They emailed a few weeks later, reaching out to ask again. I told them that I could use a little help, but didn’t need all the help. I also didn’t want the help if there were more people needing it. They asked for any items and I said Ellie liked anything “Wicked”, Elijah wanted a specific Minecraft Lego set, Lucas liked boats and the Titanic, and incense for me.

I drove there today and walked in to see a cart with four boxes filled with wrapped presents on a cart. The two workers just smiled at me and said, “these are yours, we can help you get them in the car”. I was so confused. I oddly questioned them and asked, “so wait, all these are for my family?”. Each of your siblings has nine gifts in their box.

I couldn’t believe it, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and couldn’t believe the kindness of people who didn’t even know us. As I was driving home, I was questioning if we deserved to receive something like this. There’s people all around that are in a bad situation, too, so why us and maybe not them?

I wrote the same thing to you last year as I was thinking on my drive home. The horrible loss of you allowed me to see some of the amazingly kind and generous people in the world. I knew there were kind people out there, but I also viewed the world a particular way. Your loss opened up my view of people and how I see them. I see this beauty and get this overwhelming sense of gratitude that I can’t even put into words.

Your loss at least helped me realize the world is a better place than I thought it was. I love you more than anything, baby boy. Goodnight and sweet dreams.