Okay...

So I know that a lot of us have sob stories. For many of us, that's why we find ourselves here, but what the heck... here we go.

I've had a rough year.

In March my father died unexpectedly. In the ensuing grief, my estrangement from my remaining family members solidified and became seemingly permanent.

In June my 15 year marriage ended (expectedly).

The day after my wife moved out, I had a meltdown and quit the best (and most lucrative) job I've ever had. I haven't even tried to find another job yet.

I've had some rough times in the intervening months (duh) and didn't relish the idea of a lonely, giftless Christmas, so I signed up for this fun, little hullabaloo, expecting only to have something... anything... under the tree.

My Secret Santa (screw it... it's chessie16) tried so hard and was so very thoughtful that if I weren't a grown ass man on a decent amount of antidepressants, I'm sure I'd be weeping like a little girl. A box FULL of gifts, each one more thoughtful than (sadly) any gift from my recent ex-wife.

From the treats for my kitties, to the zombie supplies, to the old Canadian coins (I LOVE Canada. I LOVE old things! I LOVE weird gifts!) to the LOCAL coffee, to the Daily Show book... right down to the handwritten card that describes all of the gifts in verse! AMAZING!

Best of all, little, handmade Rocket & Groot ornaments! Thoughtful! Kind! Effort! I am BLOWN AWAY!

Please award chessie16 every inter web win that's available. She (I assume... maybe he, I guess) worked so hard on this (I stalked enough to see that she was posting her Secret Santa shopping woes – I did a poor job of filling out my profile) and did it in the full, human, loving spirit that I believe we all hope is at the core of this exchange, that I think that she (he?) should be the poster girl (boy?) for this whole affair.

Chessie16, thank you so much! I believe my heart grew three sizes this day.