Like a phoenix from the ashes
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Artist:
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Track:
Section 25
Always Now
Friendly Fires (3:12)
(as much as I've crowed on about the cover by For Against I thought it good to post with the original)
Yes, a post on Sunday! Read on, and you'll see why.
Many of you might recall the experience I had 10 days before Christmas, of going and offering service to our neighbors and friends who had lost so much from a house fire. If you don't, I posted about it over here.
It's high time I followed up and let you know how things transpired. With no hyperbole, this has been a Christmas miracle the likes of which I have not seen.
Several of you kind souls (you know who you are) were able to pitch in some funds to help me purchase replacement MP3 players for their boys. That turned out to be a good thing. After talking to their mom, I found out that three iPods were lost in the flames, not two. I was very worried, but after Melissa and I put our heads together and did some astute shopping, we were able to take the funds collected and turn them into one 8GB Sandisk Sansa and two 4GB models. In fact, the funds turned out to be the EXACT amount needed. Call that what you will, that's miraculous in my eyes.
I placed the order too late for the players to arrive in time for Christmas, but I didn't want the parents to think we had forgotten, so I made sure to print our the order sheet, put it in an envelope, and deliver it to them on Christmas Day. They were grateful, although being boys they didn't express it with words but instead with big grins and "Wow, thanks." Good thing I speak teenage boy.
I finally got the players New Year's Eve. I took some time to test them; I would have been well annoyed if any of them had been DOA. While testing, I went ahead and uploaded some James Brown and Johnny Cash. Yes, I kept my EMCD tendencies at bay this time.
After some SNAFU's trying to get their address (they've moved into a rental home), I got their address and Melissa and I delivered the MP3 players last night, while starting our anniversary date. It was a perfect way to start the night. I brought them in, handed them each their players, and explained to the oldest boy (the computer-savvy one) how easily they'll be able to upload their music with the Sansa's drag-and-drop firmware. They were excited beyond measure, although once again they did not express it very eloquently. ;)
As Melissa and I left, we remarked to each other how the principle of "sweets to the sweet" came into play here. I've known this family for most of the almost five years that we've lived here and they're the nicest people you can imagine. Their boys willingly mow neighbor's yards and shovel snow, and I can't think I've ever heard them say anything derogatory (unless to each other; they ARE boys, after all). So it was no surprise to me that the community as a whole, LDS and otherwise, came out to offer support. They're genuinely good people, so people act well to them in return. While I wouldn't recommend acting nicely to the world just in the hopes of getting free things when your house burns down, I would definitely recommend being a nicer person because all those nice acts do tend to come back to you in unexpected and delightful ways.
As soon as I can get a picture of the three of them rockin' out with their Sansa's, I'll post it.
Thanks again everyone. Even those who just supplied a warm thought as they read this post helped make this happen. I'm grateful and awe-inspired by your desire to reach out to someone you've never met. Really, I cannot thank you all enough. :)
Locating MOG account...
Comments (15)
I am glad this turned out the way it did, nice job Dale
Thanks Kevin, but really I was just the conduit. :)
That's beautiful! A modern day Christmas tale. Thanks for filling us in Dale!
I bet this act of generosity wouldn't have happened over on LastFM.
Moggers rule!
For all those involved, collect one years Good Karma.
Very nice thing you did Dale, and the same goes for the people aiding funds. Really, really great. And from what you're telling me seems that they deserved it as well, so even better!
About the track inclosed, I saw the band a few months ago performing with Peter "formerly of Joy Division and New Order" Hook. The singer has a lot of trouble singing, but it was nice to see such Factory legends at work.
you uploaded some James Brown and Johnny Cash. that's sweet. i am glad to hear the boys are all wow thanks.
Dale! I just recently read your top albums of the year. Good choices. So, I haven't really been reading your mog for long, but I did read about this. Awesome stuff, man. That was a really cool thing you guys did.
Happy New Year!
Awesome....I am with Dave....MOGGERS RULE!
Sure thing molli, you guys needed to know that I didn't pocket the dough right? ;)
Dave, that is so true, those suckers on Last.FM don't know what they're missing. Oh wait, am I starting a turf war? muwahahaha
Stef, they really did. If I can, I'll find a mp3 of the dad singing. He's country, but his voice is so perfect. He sings "O Holy Night" at church around Christmas, and there's never a dry eye in the house.
Ilay, the dad did explicitly ask me to not upload any "devil music", although James Brown could be considered that way. ;)
amedare, that's just how we roll in the M-O-G. Word.
Annie, I like to think that we rise to the occasion from time to time. :)
Good to hear things worked out (at least MP3 player-wise). Moggers to the rescue!
Just the conduit my foot.
Thanks for the update and thanks for...well...just being you.
And think Daniel, they're not iPods. Another family torn from the tyranny of Steve Jobs. :)
Awww ... thanks Amber. <3
Your neighbors are lucky to have a friend as yourself. Amber is right. I doubt if it were anyone else there would have been as positive an outcome. People trust you because you have a kind heart, and it comes across in your posts and how you respond to others.
As per the iPod tyranny, I was given a Sansa Clip (2GB) for Christmas and I'm loving it. When I used the iPod Shuffle I was seriously missing the song title display. Also the ability to create playlists on the fly is extremely helpful.
Dale, you and your wife are the definition of earth angels - not as in the lovey-dovey romantic doo-wop song, but, y'know...
I'm reading this at the end of the traditional 12 days of Christmas, and it's a fine way to close out the holiday. May 2009 reward you with the kind of joy you spread to this family. And, um...MOG on!
i feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.