A beautiful human being

Throughout the year she spent her time crocheting hats. Her sister joined in and together they created 236 touques. Every month they purchased items to fill each hat so that when the hats arrived at the DI they would each be filled with a pair of gloves, lip balm, comb, toothbrush, safety razor and a few candies.

I want to give back Toni Bennett said when she told me her idea of crocheting hats and filling them with necessities for our clients. It was early in the year, she had just been diagnosed with cancer and knew she'd have time on her hands while recovering. I remember at the time thinking, what an amazing woman. I had no idea how amazing she truly is.

Throughout the year, Toni crocheted and her sister, Sue Brigliadori joined in. And with each hat they hooked together, hope grew. Hope for her well-being. Hope for the well-being of the clients who would receive her gift.

On Tuesday, Toni, accompanied by her husband Brian Sherret who helped fill the hats and tie them up and her sister Sue at the DI their car loaded with boxes of hats and well-wishes for clients and staff.

They brought more than a Christmas gift. They brought a reminder of the meaning of Christmas. Of giving from the heart what is in each of us to give. Of giving and sharing and believing in hope, in dreams, in miracles. Of living our gratitude.

I’m sorry I couldn’t do better, she wrote in an email, just before dropping off the hats. I had hoped to put a pair of socks in each package, but I just couldn’t afford it.

In the coming year, I’ll try to put more complete packages together based on what you need... the cancer I have has taken a turn for the worse, so I may not be able to do as much in the coming year, as I’ll be starting Chemotherapy in January. I’ll do the best I can, though.

Toni's best is beyond my wildest imaginings. If all of us did a bit of what Toni has done, what an amazing world this would be.

She is an amazing woman. An inspiration. A beautiful human being.

Thank you Toni Bennett, Sue Brigliadori and Brian Sherret. You have touched many hearts with your generosity of spirit, your graciousness and your kindness. You have touched hearts and opened minds, just as your beautiful hats will keep bodies warm and spirits lifted.

Merry Christmas. May you receive the gift of healing, of good-health, joy, love and peace this Christmas. May you be well.

May we all know Love. A place to come home to. A place where our hearts belong. May we all experience the joy and wonder of this special time of year.

Merry Christmas.

(Thank you Toni for giving me permission to use your names. Thank you for all you do.)