About 2 weeks ago, on the evening we were marveling in the miracle of our community and Holiday Hands, I got this message from one of our sister Warriors:
Dearest Glennon:
I am a late-comer to the Momastery revolution. I only just started following you a few months ago, so I had no idea what Holiday Hands was when it popped up in my Facebook news feed today. Within a few minutes, I found myself scrolling through the pages of listings, clicking on some to find them already taken, looking for one that seemed right for me. And then I found one. A mom of two kids, one six-year-old girl and one four-year-old boy. Their dad lost his job earlier this year, and although he’s employed again now, they are still trying hard to catch up on a lot of bills. For whatever reason, this one fit me, and I emailed the mom. We corresponded about a few things, and then I set about finding the right gifts for her kids.
It wasn’t until I Googled “best books for six-year-old girls” that I realized that I hadn’t chosen this listing. It had chosen me. It wasn’t until I Googled that phrase that I remembered that I shouldn’t have to Google this topic, because I should already know all the good books for six-year-old girls. You see, my oldest daughter, Hudson Lily, died in May 2010 from a sudden and very aggressive bacterial infection. She was only 17 months old. Her sixth birthday is coming up on December 1, and every year at this time, I always think about what she would be like, what kinds of things she’d be into now, what would I be getting her for her birthday or for Christmas.
One of the many things I do to honor Hudson’s life is try, in whatever small ways I can, to help others. In fact, every year on her birthday, we invite everyone we know (and everyone they know, and everyone they know) to do One Good Thing in honor of her. So although I hadn’t actually been thinking about Hudson when I first started perusing the listings, I realized immediately that it was her sweet spirit guiding me to do so. She is why that listing chose me. And as soon as I realized it, I began to cry. I emailed that wonderful mom again to tell her how grateful I was to her for giving me an opportunity to keep my precious girl’s spirit alive by sharing with her daughter the things that I might have been buying for my own daughter if she were still with me.
And after I thanked her, I wanted to thank you, too. Embracing gratitude and serving others and making sure Hudson’s life still has meaning in the world she loved so much are the only things that give me any consolation whatsoever in the darkest moments of this life without her. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do all three of those things through Holiday Hands. I’m grateful to you.
With love and gratitude,
Mandy
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Today is the day, my friends. Today is the day Mandy and her friends and her family celebrate One Good Thing, in honor of sweet Hudson’s 6th birthday. Let’s celebrate precious Hudson and Mandy by doing ONE GOOD THING.
Today, let us be Together Rising.
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38 Comments
awesome
Thank you for sharing your story. My sweet daughter Campbell is also 6. Tonight I am going to surprise all three of my children with an impromptu bubble blowing session. I also just gave away 6 tickets to the ECU football game tonight free of charge in honor of your sweet Hudson. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your One Good Thing. Hugs…
Thank you so much for remembering our sweet girl with us, Angie.
Dear Mandy,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear child Hudson. It is wonderful that you are asking others to remember her by doing One Good Thing. Tonight, in honor of Hudson, I will buy toys to donate to a homeless shelter. I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Sending you a big virtual hug.
Thank you so much, Alice. As I’ve said many times, knowing her life continues to have such a beautiful impact on the world she loved brings me so much comfort. Thank you for remembering her in such a special way.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Mandy. Last night, in honor of Hudson, I took the three overflowing bags of kids’ clothes I was planning to sell on eBay and dropped them off at a shelter for women and children. We’re taking a carload of new toys there later tonight. Sending you peace and love.
Thank you so much for honoring our girl with us, Maureen. We are grateful.
Mandy, I shared your blog with my best friend who is not a mom, but had her heart ripped out this past summer when her father was tragically murdered by a family member. I read your post and when I got to the part about seeing the woman on the sidewalk, I knew my friend needed to read it so I sent her that paragraph. She said “it’s so exactly how I feel”. So thanks for having the words and the courage to share your story. I think knowing that life changes but continues after trauma made today a little lighter for her.
Thank you so much, Beth. My heart breaks for your friend, and I am bearing witness to her grief. And if my post brought your friend any comfort at all, I am so glad and so grateful that Hudson’s life can continue to have meaning in those ways. Thank you for sharing.
I read Mandy’s blog post and know there was a Divine Intervention…Mandy’s sweet Hudson died on my birthday. Hudson may not be on earth physically, but her spirit is alive! I’m a Catholic school teacher who also has it ‘easy’. In Hudson’s honor, I’m giving my second graders some free time tomorrow. So often we want kids to hurry and grow up. We will take some time to lay and have fun. I’ll tell them about Hudson and we will pray for Mandy, her family, and Hudson!
Thank you so much, Kerry. We are also big believers in giving our kids free time to play, so this is a lovely way to remember our dear girl. And we always invite everyone to blow bubbles on the anniversary of Hudson’s death, so if you see some bubbles on your birthday, perhaps they are from her. Thank you.
I needed to read this tonight. I’ve been in a down place and really struggling to find the Christmas spirit. I found it tonight reading this post. 🙂 For the month of December I am doing Random acts of Christmas kindness each day with my little’s who are 8 & 9. I am going to tell them the story of Hudson and about doing One Good Thing in her honor tomorrow even if it’s one day late. I am so sorry for your loss Mandy. I pray for comfort for you and your family.
Oh, Lori. Thank you. There is no such thing as a day late when it comes to spreading love and joy. I am grateful for you, and I am grateful if Hudson’s story brought you comfort in any way. Much love to you.
I am praying for you tonight. I know your heart hurts. God is holding you in his arms. I pray that you feel a big squeeze from HIM. You will see that precious baby again.
Stay strong. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Love,
Laura
Thank you so much, Laura.
I’m from the Brookland neighborhood in Washington DC, Hudson’s old neighborhood. We still find her imprint on the books we check out from the library, her bench at the Arboretum, all around us really. Tonight I will call my Grandma in honor of Hudson. Peace be with you. Michelle
Oh, thank you, Michelle. We miss our Brookland community so much– they held us so tightly after Hudson died. Thank you for continuing to remember her.
Wow is all I can say. What an AMAZING WARRIOR
Oh, Amy. Thank you so much. I will say, though, that the amazing warrior is inside all of us– none of us have any idea what we are capable of until we are required to find out.
Hudson’s spirit is alive in Cincinnati too! We just shopped for our Xmas family, particularly their 6 year old daughter. I love that it now has even more meaning. Big hugs to you.
Thank you so much, Melissa.
I woke up this morning and thought this would be a good year to start taking my kids (they are 4) along with me to find a family from our neighborhood church’s Giving Tree. We will go tonight, and look for a 6-year-old girl, and remember Hudson.
Thank you so much for sharing her spirit with those who need it, Elizabeth.
I’ll give my boy some extra hugs today in honor of Hudson.
Thank you so much–hugs are such a fitting way to remember her.
Today it’s hard for me not to feel everything. I was able to be a giver to holiday hands this year, and I am glad my gift was given back to me in the words of thanks. I am a parent, and still I cry. We need these reminders to do good every day of the year, for Mandy and so many others who brought such blessings and miracles into our hearts. Thank you for this thought, today especially, when it’s hard for me not to feel everything.
Thank you so much for feeling with us, Kelly Jo. And thank you for feeling so much. That’s what the whole world really needs.
Thank you for sharing sweet Hudson’s story and picture; it’s a wonderful thing to have a child’s spirit carry you through this holiday season and my heart aches for Mandy’s loss.
Somehow, some way, I will find a way to honor Hudson and do something for someone today.
Thank you so much for sharing her spirit today. I am so grateful to you.
Glennon,
Thank you, thank you for sharing. I direct message stalked you on twitter this morning abut this very thing. Overwhelmingly grateful for the amplification of Hudson’s memory and message and for holding up her sweet family. Love that this dark day is a little brighter for them and for the rest of us carrying on. So much gratitude for you and yours.
Love you, my friend. Thank you.
Hi Glennon, I have been following Mandy’s story through her blog for several years now. She is quite the warrior. I’m so glad you have honored her Hudson here and encouraged many others to do the same. Do you know that Mandy is also a cancer survivor? This woman is no joke. I am glad she found you and this community.
Again, Erinn, thank you so much for reading and following our story. We would not be what we are and where we are without all the people like you who have supported us, from near and far. Thank you.
The holidays are really bittersweet missing my late parents, who both passed away too young. I work in Seattle’s poorest neighborhood, and for several years I have “adopted” an elderly man and woman (about the same age my parents would be if they were still here) and grant their modest Christmas wishes. This year “Grandpa” wanted a warm coat and “Grandma” wanted snow boots. Mandy’s story is similar. We can honor our loved ones and share the warmth.
That is the BEST!!! Hugs to you, Grandma, and Grandpa!
I am so sorry for your loss, Connie– losing parents is such a profoundly life-altering experience. I am so glad you have found such a special way to honor them like we have our girl. Love to you today and every day.
Today I baked Christmas cookies and shared with my neighbour, he’s retired and often lonely… we shared a cup of coffee and he will enjoy the treats all week… it was an easy thing but, a good thing!
So lovely, Cindie. I hope you get some Hudson joy floating your way today.