view 10: the amazingly-awesome, super-spectacular, breathtakingly-wonderful, resounding success of the photo drive

Remember the photo drive?  So, this is how amazing you are:

You guys are so amazing, that when I laid out all of the photographs I received to take the shots for today's post, I finally gave up after my kitchen table -- which comfortably seats six people, by the way -- was buried under photos 5 deep.  Marcus and I estimate that I received somewhere in the neighbourhood of one thousand images.

You guys are so amazing, that I received your packages of images from over 10 countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, St. Croix, South Korea and at least 30 states of the USA.

You guys are so amazing, you sent photos of your cats. Your dogs.  Your birds.  Your fish.  You sent pictures of spiders, ladybugs, dragonflies, damselflies, houseflies and butterflies.  You sent shots of blowing dandelions, bubbles and balloons.  You sent images of sunrises, sunsets, rainstorms, snowstorms.  You sent photos of the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge.  There were flowers, statues, toys, trees, sunshine, beaches -- oh, so many beaches -- horses, seals, dolphins, sharks, tigers ...

You guys are so amazing that you wrote such beautiful, touching notes of love, encouragement and kindness on the backs of your images.  As I read each of them, I kept thinking that the kids are going to love them, but more importantly, the families of the kids are going to love them -- I can't imagine how heartening it will be for them to know that people from all around the world care.

I will be taking the photos to Texas Children's Hospital today.  You guys are so amazing that when I called the Volunteer Services director and told her about the response, she informed me that because of your generosity, she's going to be able to distribute these not just for the holidays, but throughout the year.  Think about that:  you guys made it possible so that the spirits of sick children will be lifted throughout 2010.

So thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.  Your response has positively made my holiday season.  And also: to those of you who were so sweet ... so kind ... to send me personal notes, stick extra photographs in your package just for me, and send me small gifts like stationery, magnets, and tea bags (tea bags, for heaven's sake!), I was SO moved.  I've kept every one of your notes and cards and images, and they will be added to my personal journal throughout the year.  I'll use the stationery with honour.  The magnets are already on our fridge.  And the tea?

Well, the tea was drunk a long time ago.

Thank you.  THANK YOU.

Song:  Thank you by Boyz II Men.  Aw yeah.