Hello everyone! 

First of all a small introduction - I’m Kelly Jamieson, author of sexy contemporary romance with Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. I signed with Laura Bradford a few months ago and I am so excited and thrilled to be part of such an amazingly talented group of authors! 

In the spirit of Christmas I want to share a little story with you. This actually happened last year but I love this true story of Christmas spirit.

Every year at my work the various departments gather food and toys for hampers that are delivered to needy families for the holidays. We get the names of families from the Christmas Cheer Board in our city. 

One department put together a beautiful hamper with toys for the three children ages 2, 4, and 7. Every staff member donated their $25 gift certificate for Safeway, which they all receive as a gift from the union. One of the staff, Brad, had spoken to the mother and arranged delivery. Brad and Dave loaded up Brad’s car and delivered the hamper. 

They carried in boxes of food and gifts for the children, making several trips. The children were ecstatic that they were receiving gifts this Christmas, and Brad and Dave felt all warm and happy – until they left the home. Then Dave said to Brad, “That lady didn’t speak much English. Didn’t you talk to her on the phone?” Brad replied, “Yes.” He paused. “And she spoke perfect English.” They looked at each other, then checked the address they had. To their horror, they realized they had just delivered the hamper to the wrong family! 

They were at a loss about what to do, but after reflecting and realizing there was another family still expecting the hamper to be delivered, and the toys had been purchased with those three specific children in mind, they went back into the house. They explained that they’d made a mistake. They actually had to take one of the toys back, right out of a child’s hands. They packed everything up and took it all away. They both felt sick about it,  and the family was distressed, too.  

What an awful Christmas story!  

But wait – it gets better! 

When Brad and Dave got back to the office, so upset they were all choked up, they told everyone what had happened. The story spread through the building. And…within an hour, donations started pouring in for another hamper – without even being asked, every other department chipped in more food and toys and gift certificates, even another Christmas card. 

So later that day, Brad and Dave returned to the first house and delivered another generous hamper to the family, who were overwhelmed and grateful after the earlier disappointment. 

The immediate and unsolicited outpouring of donations left us all with a very warm, joyful feeling. The Christmas spirit truly is alive and well! 

So whether you celebrate Christmas or another holiday at this time of year I wish you and you families all the best and I look forward to being back here and posting again in the new year and sharing some of my stories with you! 

Kelly Jamieson