Can I have another all-time favorite Christmas Jars story? Please?

Wow! That about covers my reaction when I read this.

(Name withheld)

Merry Christmas! I just wanted to write and say thank you once again for the wonderful gift of the Christmas jars. This is the second year for my family to give out our own christmas jar. I have to admit that this year I haven't found much of the Christmas spirit. The bright spot in my holidays and the entire year has been the Christmas jar and sharing the story with others.

We began saving for this years christmas jar immediately after making our delivery last year. My parents, grandmother, & I all decided to go together once again and give it to a family or families who touched our hearts. Then one day this past spring an article appeared in our local paper about a 13 year old boy who had suffered third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body,and second-degree burns covering another 25 percent when a trash fire got out of hand. The family had no medical insurance and the story went on to say that the bills were so high that this family of six had very little hope of ever paying the bills completely. But the real inspiration behind our choice came from the story of the family themselves their spirit, love and strength.

The article told of how when the young man caught fire his younger sister ran to help only to have her clothes catch on fire, and as many big brothers would do he pushed her away to safety and sacrificed himself. In the weeks that followed more stories appeared in the paper telling of how with the his family's support and his determination the teen was shattering records and cutting his rehabilitation time in half. Faced with treatments well into his 20s he continued to keep a positive attitude, saying he doesn't want pity and just wants everyone to treat him like a normal teen. But his entire family has shown what it means to persevere. Before the fire happened they had been misplaced because of hurricane Katrina and spent time trying to find a place to begin again. The paper told of their trip to our area and how they were met with obstacles and mishaps that would have left many people throwing up their hands in defeat. But they continued on and have come out a stronger and closer family as a result.

We knocked on their door the day after Thanksgiving and after wishing them a merry Christmas and went on our way. We are all hoping that the jar brings the family a little extra joy this holiday season. I only hope that if I should ever have to face anything similar I can do it with half their courage and faith. We may have been giving them a gift, but I think that we were the ones who were blessed.

Once again thank you for your book it is indeed changing lives. We love reading all the stories of the jars that are being given and received.