Back in January (as part of my New Year’s Resolutions) I decided that each month I will do something for myself and something for someone else. It’s kind of my own “Pay it Forward” experiment for 2012.
Well, this month, I really splurged on myself. Not only did I get a mani-pedi, but I purchased a new purse. My husband actually bought me the purse, but it was a big splurge. He/I purchased a Louis Vuitton Estrela MM at the LV store (inside Saks Fifth Ave.) in Columbus, Ohio. I know, I know… that was a BIG purchase, but I have been looking at this purse on the LV website for a while. This month’s “one for me” ought to last me a few months, so I probably won’t do anything for myself until the end of Summer!
Today I completed my “one for someone else,” which was done with excitement and out of gratitude for our U.S. soldiers. I read on a website (I don’t remember which website now) about another website called AnySoldier.com, which lets people send care packages to soldiers in all the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard). These soldiers sign up on the website and ask for simple things like books, socks, soap, personal hygiene items, a handwritten note, etc.
Marty and Sue Horn developed the idea for AnySoldier.com in 2003 while talking with their son, Brian, who was stationed in Northern Iraq. They had been sending him approximately six care packages a week, and when he asked for more, his parents thought he was kidding. But Brian said the extra care packages were “for the soldiers that don’t get any.”
{NOTE: Before you decide if this is something you want to do, please read all of the information about the “Any Soldier” project on the website!}
A couple of days ago, I clicked on a soldier’s name to find out what she wanted/needed. In order to get her mailing address, I submitted some information and was sent an email with her mailing address. She is currently stationed somewhere in Afghanistan and is scheduled to come home (back to the states) at the beginning of December.
I sent her what she had requested: soap, socks, a couple of books, and a card with a handwritten note in it. And for those who read about my “Month of Letters Challenge” in February, you know that I love handwritten letters.
I am so appreciative of everything that our U.S. soldiers have done for me (directly and indirectly) that I felt this was one small way to show her that someone cares for her, even though we’ve never met. I really hope she enjoys her care package!
My hope and prayer for every U.S. soldier serving abroad in war zones is that they return to their family and friends safely. Thank you for your bravery, courage and strength, and for standing up and fighting for our freedom. I am eternally grateful and pray for your safe return home! May God Bless all of our Soldiers!
