I don’t know about you, but I have been feeling a bit helpless lately.
There is so much despair and tragedy and turmoil going on around the world. People who need help.
Some are far away and some a closer then we know.
What can I do about it?
Last night I wanted an episode of Secret Millionaire. Its a neat premise… a millionaire goes ‘undercover’ as a volunteer and sees first hand the true hero’s of this nation. Then (I think its their choice but I don’t know) they are able to donate money to those charities and people that impacted them the most.
Now, I can’t hand someone a check for $40,000. But I can evaluate what my gifts are and choose to share those as often as people will allow me.
So.
I decided this.
Over the course of the next three months, I will be giving away 10 dozen cookies. Two dozen to five separate winners.
Winners you say? Just who are these winners?
You. Your friends. Your family. A stranger that you know needs to experience some joy.
How do you enter?
Simple.
Just leave a comment nominating someone you know (and please, feel free to talk about yourself! You might be your own best advocate here!) who could use a little tiny spot of sunshine in their day.
Do you know someone who is dealing with health issues? Who lost a loved one? Who has been out of work? Who is raising their kids on their own? Who has had the flu for two weeks? Whose child has a birthday coming up? Who always brings your garbage up for you on garbage day? Who brings so much joy and happiness to others that you want them to experience a little of their own?
I will be choosing five people to receive two dozen free personalized cookies. You can choose something from my cookie gallery or we can come up with a truly individualized gift for that special someone. I will cover materials, time, and shipping.
The only thing I need from you is someone to share it with.
Now. Its just cookies. I know that. I wish I could do more… give more. For now, I am hoping that someone receiving a delicious and personalized treat in the mail will be a well deserved moment of bliss. That they will feel special.
And appreciated.
And loved.
I cant do this alone! I need your help.
I will keep the comments open for about one week, depending on the amount of entries.
Please, only one entry per person. Entries limited to US delivery only.
UPDATE:
Due to there being so many awesome and heartfelt and inspirational nominations, I am going to close the comments an little earlier then expected. I was silly to think there would only be a few of you leaving comments… every one of you is beyond generous and thoughtful!
I will be posting winners probably next week, as I really need some time to pray over and process these requests. You all have humbled me beyond words with your giving hearts! Thank you!
I would love to send some cookies to my SIL Noelle – she was 22 weeks pregnant and lost her little boy on Friday – her and her kids and family would love some sweet love!
I would love to send this to a dear friend of ours who has recently lost her husband to a sudden stroke. She lives in the USA but i dont, so i cant be there with her personally… so that makes me realise even more how precious this could be if i were to win this and you could send these directly to her on our behalf! it would delight her heart. We miss her dearly. Thank you for such a kind offer as this! and even if we do not personally win thank you for cheering the hearts of those who will win and those who will recieve these cookies. You are a blessing.
I recently transferred to a new, very small college. I have had a hard time adjusting and dealing with the fact that girls here are honestly not very accepting of new people. One girl, Lilly, has been more than welcoming and a great friend to me since day one. We also both really enjoy baking and I know she would LOVE cookies. She has truly been an inspiration and I can honestly say that God’s love shines through Lilly. I don’t feel that she is ever recognized for her unconditional love for everyone around her. I can never thank her enough for everything she has done for me just by simply being a friend!
What an awesome act of kindness!
My husband could really use a pick-me-up from sugar cookies. Frosted sugar cookies are one of his favorites!
He has been pretty stressed out since last Fall because we are selling our house and are very interested in another house. We are trusting in God through this but it is still stressful. I hope I win.
At my church, we have Secret Sisters. I chose the name of a lady whose son is in the Navy. Just recently, he was told that in two weeks he will be deployed to Libya for at least the rest of 2011. I would love to win the cookies to send to her. I know it’s going to be a really tough time for her without him.
I would love my sister in TX to get these cookies. She guided me to your blogs and is such a joy. She’s prego and always talks about how much she would love to have a cake or cookies from you. We live in NC so we don’t get to see each other too often, but I know cookies from you would be a sweet connection for us.
Thanks!
My dear friends Dan & Cindy could use a pick me up. On April 10th, it will be the 1 yr date of their son’s death. He had cancer twice, even had a bone marrow transplant, but with all the cancer stuff he developed other complications and after years of fighting he couldn’t do it anymore. Cindy’s birthday is this week, it was on her birthday that it was her sons last day at home, he went to the hospital the next day and never returned. These weeks are going to be very hard for her. Her birthdays the last several years have always been associated with bad things, Elliotts cancer returning, him having to be at the hospital, stuff like that…
I nominate my Mom. She does so much for everyone without expecting anything in return and recieving a gift such as this could really brighten her day.
I know a young lady from my church that moved several hours away from home for college this fall. She’s really been battling homesickness and misses her friends and family a bunch. I’d love to have you send her some cookies to cheer her up.
I have a disabled little girl that was born early and many friends that could use this gift BUT I would like to see your post from Janis Win!!!
I would love to send cookies to my best friend Lynn who is currently receiving Che Kherson for stage 3 breast cancer. She remains a happy, faithful and strong woman even when facing cancer. Right now she can only taste certain things…..really, really salty and very sweet….so I thought some sweet cookies might really hit the spot!! Thanks for considering Lynn.
. Such a great idea!!!
I would LOVE to give special cookies to my mom and dad. They have been going through so much in our family lately between starting a business, dealing with illness, car troubles,you name it.Things have not always been easy,but they’ve always been such wonderful,Godly examples for our family.I love them so much.
I know these would cheer them right up. Thank you so much for being so generous! ♥
I would like to send some sugary smiles to my friend and co-worker Jen. She has been taking one hit after another recently. It started with her car being broken into and her purse being stolen. The thief went on several shopping trips with her credit card. Her father-in-law was then diagnosed with colon cancer and died a mere 2 weeks later. While spending nights holding her FIL’s hand and days taking care of her two young children, she and her husband had to replace the heater in their house, and the windshield of her car. It just seemed like she couldn’t catch a break, and there was so little I could do to help her. I know a few yummy cookies would make her smile. Thanks!!!!
What a SWEET idea!!
There has been a 7 year old little boy we have been praying for every day, for so long. We only know him through extended family, but his story has touched us, that he has become a part of our hearts and daily prayers. He has been fighting Leukemia, for 2 years now, and it just keeps coming back. Such a roller coaster, of hope, and devastating disappointment, over and over. His family is most always separated, with his mom at St. Jude’s with him, and his Dad working in their home state, and his sister in school. They have leaned on God through it all. We have healthy triplets, about this boy’s age, and so it has resonated with us. We and the kids send him gifts on holidays, cards, and other surprises, and pray all we can. But it just never feels enough, when all we want is to give them a miracle. The little boy gets SO EXCITED with anything that comes in the mail. Even a stack of cards! So — I think your beautiful custom cookies would be such a fun surprise for him.
No matter who receives your cookies, will be blessed. Please don’t feel that it’s ‘just cookies’. It’s the smallest acts of thoughtfulness, that mean the WORLD to people, who are struggling. Just to know they are thought of, and cared for, is all they need, to keep fighting the good fight. So may God Bless You, for doing His work, by using your gifts He gave you, to touch the lives of others.
I would like to nominate my friend Kathryn. She is the mother of 4, but lost her youngest son, Seth, when he was 9 months old to a rare heart condition. He spent more of his short life in the hospital than at home. He endured several heart surgeries, but they weren’t able to heal his little heart. He went home to be with Jesus a little over a year ago. His birthday is coming up, March 27th. He would have been 2. She is still struggling greatly with this loss and can use all the encouragement she can get.
I’m so sorry. My post should read that Lynn is receiving chemotherapy….not sure what my spell check did there!
I vote for Janis too.
I vote for my friend Lisa B. She’s getting married this May, and has been super stressed out wedding planning. To add to her stress, she just got her first place with her husband, and her parents are adding stress because they don’t think Lisa should move in with her fiancee before the wedding-even though it’s only 2 months away. She also just got a new job that she is already burned-out at. She’s an addictions counselor, and I think she could REALLY use some awesome sugar cookies! Keeping my fingers crossed for these-and thank you for the giveaway!
My wonderful friend and colleague just got word that her citizenship is coming through! It would be amazing to celebrate this day with some cookies!
I would love to send cookies to my dearest friend Rach. She’s working on healing her marriage and it’s possibly the hardest thing she’s done in her life. Mistakes have been made, trust has been broken, but there she and her husband are, working through it all. I think it’s brave, it’s smart (whatever the outcome is), and it’s something a lot of people would give up on because in no way is it fun. She needs a little sunshine, and to know that she is an amazing person and worthy of love.
I think this is such a wonderful idea. I am having a hard time narrowing it down to just one “deserving” person, as I know so many wonderful people. I think, however,I would choose my dear friend Paula. I met Paula right after I had my triplets. I lived in Upstate NY at them time and didnt have any immediate family available to help with the babies. Paula volunteered her time. In getting to know her, I have not only found a friend but someone I look up to and respect. We moved from upstate NY about 1.5 years ago. Just after we moved, her son-in-law was in a terrible accident. The family was asked to give blood (I am uncertain of the details) but in doing this they discovered that his daughter, Paula’s granddaughter, had Leukemia. It has been a long road for them, but both are recovering. Through all this she has never lost her faith and remains positive. She really is an amazing woman whom I miss dearly.
My grams has been sick w/ pneumonia for a bit and seems to do better on sunny days. I would love to give her something sunny to help her pull through this difficult time.
I would love to send cookies to my friend Rachel – she’s at university in the States and I am in Canada, but we have been friends for ten years (and never met!) She’s going through a rough time, feeling very stressed out, but she still manages to have time to help me when I need help. She is a total sweetheart and all kinds of amazing, and I think cookies would be a perfect gift for such a great friend!
I would love to send some uplifting treats to my mom who was recently diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and is fixing to have surgery and start chemo treatment. It was unexpected and she is in a whirl wind of emotion. These would make her smile. She is the most loving and giving person I know!!!
I would give them to my best friend’s daughter, Megan, who is 27, and a new mommy(5 mo. old boy) and has stage 3 ovarian cancer. She is amazingly positive, a cheerful boost to everyone around her. Her faith in God buoys her up. She recently donated her beautiful long hair(before chemo took it)to “Locks of Love”, and is always thinking of others.
I simply have the best roommate in the whole world! She’s busy coreographing, teaching, and balancing the city’s little ballerina’s. She comes home so late at night and looks like a truck ran over her (in the most loving of ways of course). And – she loves cookies!
I know someone who i would like to get some cookies, My aunt has been an incredible help to me these last few weeks as i have lost my job and now face losing my apartment. she has helped me no questions asked and no judged me in anyway instead she has been kind loving and generous.
I would like to nominate my son, Evan. He is a 30 year old, single guy that lives in Wrightsville Beach, NC. I live in Richmond, VA. I miss him like crazy!!!! Evan is the kindest, gentlest, sweetest son in the whole, wide world. Have you ever heard the expression, “If it ain’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all.”? Well, that describes Evan. We try to see the humor in his bad luck. Last week he was driving along the highway with the window halfway down. All of a sudden a woodpecker flew in and hit him in the temple. Fortunately, he and the bird are OK. Evan could really use an act of kindness from someone. He already knows about you because I’ve tried making most of the cakes you have posted. I just made the chocolate-covered cherry cordial cake. The best one, so far. Thanks for being wonderful, Amanda.
I would like to have them sent to Walter Brown on the morning show at a lite music station in Biloxi. He is a a good-hearted, Christian person. He is so kind and good natured every day. Even when people call in and say the stupidest things, he gives them a response that makes them feel like they are the best and brightest the world has to offer. When you listen to him each morning, you feel like being the best person you can be each day.
What an awesome idea! I would have two people I would like to nominate…
one of my friends is a single mom of a 5 year old little girl. She just lost a baby and has not shared that with many people who are not sure why she is so sad all the time. I would love to cheer her up with an anonymous gesture like this!
another of my friends is an amazing mom to two little ones, one of which just completed chemotherapy for a cancerous brain tumor. She has completely put her life aside to be there and care for her sweet little girl (like all of us would, of course). But, she did it with a smile on her face and kept everybody’s spirits up around her. It is nothing short of a miracle for this baby girl to have had such an amazingly difficult course of treatment with smiles on her face… of course, they were aimed directly at her mama!
My Dad. I live about 2,000 miles away from him….he’s in Iowa, I’m in Utah! However, he is the strongest and most uplifting man I know! He has raised me and my 10 brothers and sisters. Yes, there are 11 of us kids!!!! His wife (my mom) died of cancer almost 12 years ago. He is still completely loyal to her in every way. I know he struggles with being lonely, especially since he lost his mom and dad too…in the last few years. He’s only got one child left in the house (and she’s 18 now, so she’ll probably be out any time!). He has went out of his way so often to prove to us by example what it means to be a good, contributing member of society….what it means to have morals & standards in this world where things are falling apart….what it means to be an honest, open, loving human being….and that being a parent is the best gift you could ever have and know. He is the epitome of service. He is always out helping others, to take heavy loads off of their lives. It’s what keeps him busy so that he is not lonely….but also, because he just knows it’s the right thing to do. I would like to see him receive special cookies as a simple, cute, fantastic way of showing him that HE TOO can be thanked for being a wonderful human being, a wonderful father, a wonderful husband, a wonderful son….and a true inspiration. He is the kind of man that I would love to give a million dollars to, because he deserves it in every way. But cookies come in a close second!!!!
I’ve got two people to nominate. One is my mother in law, who is fighting breast cancer right now. She had to sell her sheep and chickens because she couldn’t take care of them any longer. She could really use a pick-me-up. The other person is my cousin-in-law. She was pregnant with twins and went into early labor at I believe 22 weeks. One baby was born with a heartbeat but they were unable to save him. They managed to stop labor and keep their little girl in long enough to give her steroid shots for her lungs, but mom ended up with an infection and they had to take the baby early. She is doing well but will be in the NICU for several months. She is approximately 1lb. Her mom and her mother in law are throwing a shower for her in May, since the original shower was for two babies and had to be canceled because mom was in the hospital. I would love to be able to bring her some cookies for the shower.
I would like to nominate my friend Terrell. She is trying to work her way through grad school right now, and if that wasn’t stressful enough, she sometimes has allergic type reactions to foods, but has been told she isn’t a celiac. On top of that, Terrell just found out that her father, who stopped smoking 10 years ago has stage 4 lung cancer that is metastizing toward his brain. They can’t give him a prognosis until after they start the chemo, but it doesn’t look good. Terrell loves it when I bake for everyone, and she deserves something special to smile for a little while. She is so much fun to be around and usually organizes our game nights and makes everyone laugh. I want her to have something to be happy about for a minute before she has to go back to life.
I’m having a really difficult go in life lately. My husband left me nearly 3 months ago for another woman, who he moved in with just 2 weeks ago. A terrible blow to an allready fragile state. I’ve also got a 5 and 2 year old….and being a single mom is hard! I can’t afford to pay my mortgage anymore, so we could very well be homeless!
However, my friend, Mendy ….she is amazing. She has been holding my hand every second of every day and, though she has her own family and life, she will drop everything in an instant to rush to me when I need her. Mendy took me in for a surgery a month back…her son had been up all night with the stomach flu and she was 9 months pregnant. She greeted me with a smile and though I was profusly horrified and scrambled to find someone else to take me and pick me up, she’d hear nothing of it. She’s a true gift from God and a true friend… I love her so much and am so blessed and thankful.
Great thing you are doing here Amanda!
What a fabulous idea Amanda! I was watching Secret Millionaire last night TOO!!!! I cried and cried! Now I’m teary again. Touched by your lovely spirit…
I’d like to nominate my mom & dad. Two of the most beautiful giving humans I know. While they’ve got lots of health issues going on that involve pain & fatigue they still find time in their hearts and their day to counsel many people from church who need advice, a shoulder or someone to listen. It’s truly amazing. I am so blessed. And I would love to brighten their day with some of your gorgeous cookies.
And you are truly blessed. I am so thankful that I’ve gotten to know you and your beautiful spirit.
I would love to send cookies to my beautiful friend and coworker, who is also a homeschooling mother of 4 and a missionary wife. She and her husband and kids are finishing their 4 year commitment as missionaries in Uganda at the end of this week, and I know moving home will be a big transition for their family. My husband and I also live in Uganda and have worked with them for the past 2 years, and will miss them like crazy when they leave! I’d love to bless their family with a treat when they get home.
I would like to send cookies to my friend from church, Stori, who made our visit to meet our soon to be adopted 4 little boys possible. She organized 2 separate fundraisers for us and we were able to raise all the funds we needed to get to the boys and back. Without her, the trip would have not been possible. She is also pregnant with her 5th baby a year after having adopted 2 precious children from the Congo, and I am sure would very much enjoy your cookies right now!!!
This is a PERFECT giveaway! PERFECT! I would like to nominate my little sister. Her husband finished school a year ago this April and still has not been able to find a job to help support his family. They are over $120,000 in financial debt from school and living as poor college students. My sister found out she was pregnant a few months ago and despite health issues with that has been going to work at a waitress to bring in a little money. They have a little four year old and this little one on the way. Things are so tough for them right now. They have had to move in with my parents into their basement. It is very cramped down there. Both my brother in law and sister have been so down and frustrated. I would LOVE to brightened their day with a extra special treat from you!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway, such an amazing way to share your talents for those who are in need! I don’t know how you are going to narrow it down! Good luck
Fantastic idea Amanda. Good luck with picking one, sounds like everyone needs some cookies!
Maybe I will make a batch this week and pass it on. Great idea … thanks for sharing.
My “Uncle Johnny” just died. He’s not my real uncle, but a good family friend. His wife, “Aunt Mary”, will be very lonely. She has been his care taker and advocate for 10 years. He was 87 years old. Aunt Mary could use some love.
If you choose my nominee I will be on vacation until March. 30.
thank you for doing this. I might copy you when I get back.
Now THAT is a great idea Stephanie!!!
Oh Amanda, this is such a great idea. I have been feeling so over whelmed lately with the pain and suffering of so many. I have 5 women in my life right now suffering with life threatening illness. It breaks my heart! Then this whole tsunami thing. UGH!
2 of the women have young children one has MS she has a baby and a young son, life is a battle daily for her. Then my other friend just learned that her breast cancer is back but this time it has spread to lungs and liver….so sad, three young kids, amazing family.
If I win I would like to split my 2 dozen up between these two families. Thanks for sharing your talents. You got me all misty eyed.xoxoxox
I know of a few thousands/millions that could use some cookies (people of japan) but its US based so i was reading one of my favorite blogs today when something just made my eyes water.
The Creator of the Cake Wrecks blog and Epbot has hit a tough week and i think some cookies to her and her husband would just make them see a bright side.
Now i only know them from the blog but they are great people and nothing makes a rough time better than some home baked goodness.
on a side note, i think this is a great thing you are doing and i commend you for wanting to help brighten 5 families day.
I love, love, love this idea. What a fantastic way to “do something”. I too have been feeling helpless about all the pain in the world, unable to figure out how I could do anything about it. I also have a list of people to nominate, but reading through many of your responses, I think you have plenty to choose from. Might I suggest that you ask readers to expand on your idea, just as many of us do with your yummy recipes, and “pay-it-forward”? I can nominate someone, but I can also continue your idea on my own blog, or take it upon myself to do something similiar for someone in my life. Thank you so much for this fantastic idea and all your efforts – I can imagine your hands are full but you still take time to “give”! Let there be more of that in this world! =-)
This is so sweet of you!
If I won these cookies I would send them to my Dad. My dad works in the flooring industry he is self taught in the trade and works very hard. He is now the head of a flooring company and his job is very stressful because simple mistakes cost lots of money to fix. He has had a lot of health problems due to the stress of working this job. He would like to quit his job but is waiting until after I get married in October so he can help pay for some of the wedding. After October he is planning on switching from his flooring job to making brick fire oven pizza. (Its amazingly good!) Right now my dad is having a hard time because a few people in our extended family do not support his idea of switching careers, and they tell him quite often. I would like to send him some “pizza” cookies just to let him know that I support him and to give him some encouragement.
I have a friend from college who, a little more than a week ago, woke up to find their almost two month old baby girl had died in the night. They struggled to get pregnant and were incredibly excited to have her. Then this past week, her husband went in to have a procedure done and doctors found a tumor in or near his bile duct. Through this all, she posted to her status that “God is in control”. Love is raining on them from all around through friends and family and their prayers. I nominate them to be the recipients of this contest. I think some “happy food” is in order.
This is a fabulous idea! I think that instead of entering your contest I will use your amazing recipes and make some for a few of my friends that deserve some cookie love! I stay at home with the kids and it’s our spring break so I have a lot of time on my hands!
I am not entering, but have to say what an inspirational gift this is, Amanda. I can’t wait to go through and read each story!
I would love to nominate my dear friend Alexis for these cookies. At 28ish she has been battling multiple forms of cancer for as long as I’ve known her (over 3 years. Up until this past year she continued running – her passion – including completing more than one marathon! She is now unable to run as she once did, and I know this is so discouraging to her, nevermind the ongoing battle with such an ugly disease. Through it all though her love for Christ as her Savior has remained strong. He has been her rock on sinking sand. I always want to do something for her, because she deserves the world. Would love to bring some extra cheer to her through your cookies. I’d love to make 10 dozen myself but I know there’s no way I’d get around to it!! Thanks for a wonderful idea!
I nominate my mom and dad. They have always been there for me and my family. I live downstairs from them and love that we have such a wonderful relationship. My children are so close with my parents. They light up when they hear the car pull up in the driveway. My husband who came from very broken home has an amazing relationship with my them. He always says how he is finally lucky to have a real family and to know he is loved. They have been married 40 years and deserve so cookies. :O) If I don’t win I will make some myself, but they won’t be as pretty.
I’d like to nominate my mom because she is one of the most giving people I know. She works hard at her job at the school district office and it is often a thankless job. She has been helping take care of Quads born in our church since they were newborn and really needed everyone’s help. They are now 5 years old and everyone else has stopped going over to help but she still goes every Tuesday night to help and serve their family. She volunteers in the church nursery on Sundays and also with a the child abuse prevention phone line in our town. Ask anyone around, she does very little for herself and serves everyone around her.
That doesn’t mention all she does for us being the best mom and Grammy around.
This is really great. I nominate my SIL’s mother Jen. she is one of those people that always stife to leave you better than they found you. She always makes handmade and thoughtful gifts, she always encourages no matter what is going on in her own life and always just leaves you thinking, man, I should be more like that and make the world a better place.
P.S.: i’d like to link you to my blog with this post.
I have a blogger friend who lost her husband 5 days after Christmas in a tragic hunting accident. She and her 2 children have moved back home with her parents in TX and she is now studying to get her teacher’s certificate. She has been a trooper through this all and has been an inspiration to others through this. Her name is Penny and this is her blog, Living Above Ministries.
I would like for you to also keep my family in your prayers. My kids are sick again. We have been sick with 2 different strains of flu and a stomach bug since the end of January. I ready for the sickness to go away!
You will truly be blessed for sharing your talent with others. I know you will bring smiles to those who truly need them!
I am going to write a post and do the same thing! I’ll let you know when it is up and what I am “paying forward”. Great idea.
I would love to send some cookie love to my mom. My dad and her do countless things for me and my family, and they don’t always get the thanks they deserve.
I would love to have some of your beautiful cookies sent to a fellow MN blogger who has been dealing with her mom’s serious health issues. This is such a beautiful thing you’re doing…
I’d give the cookies to my amazing mom for Mother’s day. I miss her bunches and can’t wait to see her when I get home for Spring Break!
i’ve been feeling ohsomuch the same way. and maybe it’s time that i do a pay it forward … and give away a photo session to be used over the summer … and (unfortunately) it would have to be limited to the minneapolis/st. paul area … but it’s something that i CAN do … and should. thanks for the idea. count me in.
and i have a good friend that is forever working through her husband’s cancer and her son being incredibly premature … (there are times when she has both of them in the hospitals) and does it with a smile. and faith. and i’m very inspired by her. it would make me so happy to surprise their family with a batch of your beautiful cookies.
My dear friend Jen has been caring for her daughter with an eating disorder since last May. She has faithfully researched and secured treatment, prepared her meals and sat with her during each meal and snack as she eats. It’s going to be a very long battle. Jen does all this on her own and with no support from her family to speak of. So many times I have wished to be there simply to share the burden. She is in WI and I am in VA, and it’s been a long, snowy winter in WI. Something cheerful and unexpected would be perfect!
One of the things she and her daughter always enjoyed was baking cookies together. I’d love to send super special cookies that someone else made, and maybe open a dialogue about making, eating and sharing food with your loved ones.
I think it’s a wonderful and generous idea, and I thank God that you thought of it!
I nominate my Mom and younger sister. They are going through a separation from my dad. I hate that my mom has to deal with this, she has done so much and sacrificed so many things for her seven children. We are all here for her no matter what, but I think she could use a major pick me up.
This is such a sweet idea! I’m nominating my husband. He is such a wonderful caring man who helps me be the best person I can be. It’s always the little things he does that adds up that make him so special and just perfect for me. I just might have to bake him some cookies myself to remind him!
My sister is simply amazing! Here are a few things she has accomplished this year (2010/2011): hosted a wedding shower for me in March, had her first (BEAUTIFUL) baby in April, quickly got back in the gym teaching Yoga, ran a 5K race, earned her Master’s degree, taught Kindergarten, hosted another wedding shower for her best friend…and so much more! She does so much for all the people in her life. She deserves a treat!
I would love to send these to a friend of mine who is going through a particularly difficult time. She has had a very difficult life thus far, and all of these awful past experiences are weighing very heavily on her right now. She is extremely discouraged and could definitely use a pick-me-up! I wish I could do more for her in this situation than I can, and I think that a treat like this might hopefully help to encourage her a little bit and put a smile on her face.
I think it’s great that you’re doing this! We definitely need to be reaching out to others in whatever way we are able!
I would like to nominate my hubby. He’s been working at a place where he receives absolutely no appreciation, yet keeps on doing his best in order to first honor the Lord with his testimony and also to support our family. These cookies would just make his day!!!!!!
I would love to send my grandparents some cookies. They are about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. My family is planning a celebration for them, but my husband pastors a church and we live a few states away…needless to say I won’t be able to join in the celebration, but if I could have them some cookies sent on my behalf that would make it a little better!
I want to nominate my mom. She’s a diabetic dealing with depression from her mom’s recent death and raising four kids; that includes driving, cooking, cleaning, laundry, blahblahblah. The list could go on. This would be such a sweet surprise for her and I’m sure she would love it.
You are so sweet for doing this. My friend and I have both graduated from college last summer, and are both searching for the next step in our lives. She has been applying for dental school since we’ve left college, but it’s near the end of the recruiting process, and she’s only been receiving rejections. My friend tries to stay positive, and I’m doing my best help her stay positive too, but it’s hard, and I know she’s upset even if she doesn’t like to admit it. Your gift would definitely help remind her that she is better than how she’s thinking of herself now. Again, you are super sweet for doing this! I am now inspired to bake uplifting cookies for the rest of my friends
I would nominate my mom, Sherry. This morning my grandma died -her mother-n-law- for the past three weeks she has been at her bedside, for two weeks at the hospital and a week in the nursing home. She has been her primary care giver for over a year. My mom is so selfless, she has loved and cared for her right till the end. Taking her everywhere, caring for her, helping her through. I feel so blessed to know my mom and know that she is always there.
My mother. I constantly and forever appreciate her, but am a bad daughter at expressing it.
Your post made me stop, and think. It makes me realize how out of touch I’ve been lately. And how bad I feel about being so self-absorbed. So thank you.
You are a good lady! I so love everything that you stand for – you have your heart in the right place. I just posted(on my other site) about giving back (http://is.gd/zj1zp7). It is so important to share and it is so important, as parents, to teach by example. Your children are very, very lucky!
I would love to send some cookies to my mother in law. She is “retired” but volunteers at a small apartment complex where families from out of town stay when their loved ones are in the hospital. She makes meals for them at least once a week so the families are not always having to eat take out. She is a very selfless and giving person and deserves a treat! Thanks for your consideration!
I would LOVE to nominate one of my very best friends, Rachel. She is my baking cohort here in TN and she is absolutely a wonderful Godly woman. This month, however, has got to be the worst one for her in the last 5 years. She is out of her mind upset realizing that it has been 5 years since she lost her dad very suddenly. It was a week after she turned 18. I am attempting to do something for ehr, but with limited funds (I’m trying to pay for a conference I’m going to with my church next month) and time (I have 2 weddings, a shower and a visit from my parents in the next 4 weekends) I just didn’t know what to do. I know she would love some cookies…..
How timely…I was sitting here thinking about my cousin’s wife and what I can do to help her and send her some smiles and hugs and then I read your blog post. My cousin passed away last week after a short battle with cancer, he was only 41. He leaves behind a loving wife and 6 children…the youngest being 3 years old. They were all so brave at the funeral this past weekend. I would love for you to be able to brighten their day with some cookies.
It’s funny that you came up with this idea. I kind of do the same thing except I bake and decorate cakes. I kind of use it as a ministry. I don’t have a lot of money, but I can bake a cake! It cheers people up and makes them smile and it is a small way to let people know you care.
I vote for a tutorial on these if you feel so inclined – would love to pass them on too, and I think it means so much more when they’re personalized!!
I nominate a good friend from college who just lost a precious baby. Mercy Joan was born with a very serious medical condition and unfortunately it was beyond anything surgery could correct. They got one wonderful week with precious Mercy before she went to join her Heavenly Father. The family is mourning her passing, but so thankful for the time they had with her and the fact that she is now whole. Anyway, I have been trying to think of something to do for my 2 friends and their 2 precious children who are all mourning in their own ways and this would be perfect, especially for the 4 and 2 year olds
My cousin Andrew is 6 years old. He was born 7 weeks premature in 2004 with health problems. He had a hole in his heart and had kidney reflux. Luckily the hole closed up on its own but he had to have surgery to correct the kidney problem. The poor kid was on antibiotics daily for over 2 years. He continues to have health problems. He just recently recovered from pneumonia and was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis (at 6!) and acid reflux disease. Tomorrow (Wednesday) he is having his tonsils and adenoids out in an attempt to reduce the number of times he is sick and has to take antibiotics. Despite all of this he is a happy and active little boy. Slightly small and skinny for is age but loves to do all the things little boys love to do. He might had to repeat kindergarten due to all of the days he has missed due to illness this year. In addition his mom has been ill as well and lost her job. She has to have exploratory surgery next week for some female issue that are perplexing the doctors.
I think some cookies would defiantly liven up their lives.
Thanks for doing this, no matter who wins.
I would love to send these to my mother. She has supported me through many rough times; and now an empty nester, while my father travels for work – she could use a bit of sunshine while home alone.
I vote for my friend Kendra. She and her husband are having a challenging time conceiving a baby. She is the most wonderful friend and despite her challenges to become a Mum, she always is supportive of my two boys and the challenges we go through as parents of a little boy with ADHD. Kendra is a sweetheart and I think she deserves some treats; like you said, it’s just cookies, but I think the world is definitely a better place if you can put a smile on someones face and let them know people care.
My sister and her husband are some pretty deserving candidates! My sister is a SAHM of 3, all of whom are sick right now
She never ceases to amaze me with all she does with those kiddos. From letter of the day, to story time at the library, to swim classes. Yet she still finds time to clean the house and have dinner made. Her husband is also one of the hardest workers I know. He works 6 days a week to make sure his family is provided for.
So great of you to do this!
I think my mother-in-law would be a great candidate for your fabulous cookies! She is an accountant and is always working overtime (and will for another month) during this time of the year. The reason she needs the cookies is because her husband has been gone for 4 months so he can take care of his mother who was attacked by a dog and had to have major reconstructive surgery on her hand. My mother-in-law (Marianne) never complains and has a smile even though I know she is lonely. I think this small act would help her feel loved, appreciated and not quite so alone.
I would love to have you send some cookies to my boyfriends brothers fiance. She is not only my best friend, but practically family. She is 5 1/2 months pregnant with her first child and has had a cyst on her ovary for awhile now that they have been watching. On Friday she found out that her cyst actually isn’t a cyst and that it’s a tumor and they are pretty sure it’s cancer. She is a wonderful person and only 23 years old. I don’t know where it will go from here but I know she is getting it taken out on Friday and we’ll go from there and see what happens to her & the baby. She certianly needs a pick me up.
I would love to send these cookies to my Mom and Dad. They have a lady who lives with them with her 3 kids and her husband. My Dad is 64 and works his butt off and my Mom is 60 and watches a 2 and 3 year old while their mother is off doing who knows what. My Dad had a heart attack last year while having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his Kidney. We didn’t know if he was going to make it. He did and is doing GREAT! His spirits are lifted from going through all of this and coming out the other side. And through all of it my Mom has been there right by his side supporting him and me through some tough times that I am going through right now with infertility. So I would LOVE to do something very special for them and show them how much I appreciate the both of them.
Thanks for this opportunity!!
I would nominate my cousin. He is 48 years old, self employed, married with five children and was recently diagnosed with ALS. It is simply tragic. He has lost it all, first his speech, folks thought he was intoxicated, so his business crashes while waiting for a diagnosis. We ALL as family have contributed food and money while they struggle with the US gov for aid. I bet those five kids 4 boys 14,13,12,11 and two year daughter would love them.
There are so many people that come to mind when i think about it. I am going to do the same thing and bake some of my own to send to people who inspire me. although I would like to put in a request for my stepmother to receive yours. I for one am NOT a baker. last time I made cookies I burnt them, in the toaster oven, and they were the break and bake kind. So, I can promise my stepmother would love yours. She lost her brother to cancer a two weeks ago and her mother is going downhill quickly as well. She lives in MD and I live in SC so i haven’t been able to hug her yet. She and my father married 17 years ago and have a 15 yr old. Chase (my brother) is an amazing kid and she has been a great mom to him and to me. she is also affectionately called Nana by my 4 yr old brayden.
I’d like to nominate my mother…she is 90 years old. I live in a different city. She has macular degeneration so is almost totally blind, suffers from arthritis and is in pain most of the time. She lives in an assisted living facility. She feels badly and that is depressing. Cookies would make her day ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
And mine too ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Oh mercy – the stories to read and the decisions to make. I have been where so many of the others have gone – kiddos so sick you pray that the good Lord will let them take turns being the sickest and not both being deathly ill at the same time. Needing a transplant – getting a transplant -living life to the fullest – losing my precious oldest daughter just as I thought I was seeing daylight with both girls getting better. Being graced with two beautiful grandsons that think cookies are “treasures” but born to a gluten free mom. Not that that means no cookies – just not THE best cookies as far as I am concerned. I would love to share some REAL cookie treasures with my special 2 and 4 year old boys.
I saw your cookies packed in pairs on one of your posts – so if each of my guys had a package then that would leave 20 cookies or 10 packs to giveaway. They live on a street with all elderly people – so they could brighten the day of their neighbors too. They love to share. Great idea and I do not envy you your job of chosing your recipients. God Bless you for bringing cheer to so many. You do beautiful work.
My sweet mother in law… yes, really! She’s my best friend, and I’m her health advocate and care giver. It makes me sad that I watch her decline, but I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to be there for her. I just want a “Phyllis” in MY life when I’m “there”. Your cookies and Patties would just be a delightful way to make the day special… what a wonderful idea.
Cookies for my mother-in-law and the four children to whom she was recently given custody. My mother-in-law has such strength of character that she didn’t flinch when told she would be given custody of her 4 step-grand-children, ages 2 – 7, even though she is thisclose to retirement and at an age when she should finally be able to just relax. Retirement is no longer an option, nor is relaxing. She focuses on the powerful positive impact she can exert on these children who, sadly, have been neglected by their parents. For that, she deserves our respect…and a few cookies for the kiddos she loves.
I would give cookies to my husband to share with my two kids ages 2 & 3. I am a stay at home mom but over the past month I’ve been stuck in bed sick. My husband has been great at cooking three meals a day for the family and keeping up the house work of cleaning, while still going to work everyday working full time. While I am home alone during the day with the kids, they have been very patient with me. I’ve felt like such a bad mommy and wife so many times over this past month because my husband and children have sacrificed so much for me and I have not been able to give much back to them. They know I love them and they are all expecting me to get well soon. Since I haven’t been able to bake in awhile some homemade cookies would be a special treat to my husband and two little ones.
Some very dear friends of ours have a son, Jordyn, who is 8 years old. Jordyn has suffered with Niemann-Pick disease his entire life and is coming to the end of his battle. Unfortunately there isn’t anything the doctors can do to prolong his life any longer, but there are plenty of things we, as friends, can do to make the very short time he has left as bright as possible. I think Jordyn and his parents would love to receive some delicious and beautifully decorated cookies! What 8 year old wouldn’t LOVE to have a big batch of cookies special just for themselves?!
Thank you so much for this opportunity! Let’s all continue to pay it forward!
I live in Spain, so I can’t take part of the contest, but I had to say you such a lovely idea you had.
Doing this you demonstrate the wonderful kind of person that you are, trying to take a bit of happiness to the others.
I’ve just found out your blogs few days ago, but be sure I will follow your posts from now on.
I would propose you for the cookies, but I do believe that you cannot take part in the contest either.
My mom is going to be watching my 5 and 2 year old girls while I’m in Hawaii next month. Now that certainly deserves a cookie, or two!
I would like to nominate my husband. He has been going under a tremendous amount of stress due to changes at work. On top of that, I am 10 weeks pregnant (yay!) and have been dealing with unbearable morning sickness. He comes home from work, no matter how tough the day, with a smile on his face and goes straight to taking care of me, the house, and our precious 2 year old. He has been giving 110% to our marriage when I feel like I have nothing at all to give. Sweet treats are the way to his heart. I’d love to surprise him with these! What a great idea. Thank you for giving, Amanda.
I love this idea! You are a very sweet person. I would love to send some cookies to my mom. She has had a tough few years in terms of her health – which a few recent surgeries have improved but not made entirely better. And she is working to support my older brother and father who are both out of work while helping my little brother get off to college. She also helps out illiterate people in her community through Project Learn because she doesn’t believe in wasting her gifts. She doesn’t always believe in herself and her strength like she should, but i know she can get through it.
This is such a wonderful idea! We are actually planning a cookie decorating party this weekend to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Then we will be taking our decorated cookies to Children’s Hospital for the nurses there. Our daughter, Lily, spent her first 6 months of life there, as well as numerous other visits…including 3 last winter. (So far, none this year, thank the good LORD….although I thought the streak might end a couple of weeks ago when she was sick.) Anyway, we just wanted to show them how much they are appreciated and how important their job is. We are also planning to make some fleece tie-blankets and hopefully pick up a few other things to donate for the kids. I’ve seen firsthand what a pick me up a new blankie or a special toy can give for a sick child.
What a nice idea! I would like to nominate my mother. Just over a month ago, she lost her wonderful husband, my father, of nearly 40 years. Needless to say, she is heartbroken. The last several months have been so hard for her and, although she has many great friends looking out for her, my sister, brother, and I live far away. I worry for her so much and I call her everyday, always letting her know I’m thinking of her and love her. She always oohs and aahs over your cookies and cakes. I think she would love to receive some of her very own!
The first person that came to my mind was Chad. I can’t think of anyone that needs a smile added to his day more than he does. I don’t know him at all, but his blog is:
http://sadandchara.blogspot.com
Just to warn you it is a heartbreaking story, but so awesome reading about Chads faith in God seeing him through this difficult time.
I’d like to nominate my friend, who shall remain nameless unless she wins and then I’ll share it with you only, who is going through a divorce. It is a bad situation that I am very proud of her to be getting out of. She’s been living in a terrible situation for over 2 years.
She feels worthless, judged, used, and like a failure. She does not know the Lord, but has started coming to our women’s Bible study at church.
She is an extremely talented woman who is generous and kind. She is loved by many, but most of all the Lord.
I’d like to win these and send her love notes because she is so so loved.
(Don’t worry, we’re already encouraging her all we can, this would just be icing on the cake…er…cookies)
I would like to nominate my little sister Natalie and my parents. A little over a year ago my sister was in a horrible roll over car accident, she has had seven surgeries on her back and has been bed ridden almost entirely since the accident. She lost her job, her fiance and so much more.
My parents have been through a lot since this happened as well. My Father lost his job because he had to take time off to help Natalie during her surgeries. They have helped her around the clock and haven’t had a break. My Mother was hospitalized not to long ago due to her liver and kidneys being swollen; My Father was also hospitalized with pnemonia.
Natalie is such a sweet and loving person, and even through all of her trials she still thinks of others before herself. My parents are very dear as well.
I know that a sweet little pick me up would really brighten their day. We always try to make Natalie happy (she is very depressed and sad most of the time), and I just think she would be so excited to get a surprise sent to her that she didn’t know about!
Thank you for your consideration Amanda!
My sister, Jenny. She and her husband had tried for some time to have a child and nothing was happening. After much thought and prayer, they tried IVF and she will have a baby in July. Some cookies for a very celebratory baby shower would be wonderful.
I would love to send some cookies to my daughter’s boyfriend when he returns (safe and sound!) from a year on the front line in Afghanistan. We are grateful for his service and what better way to show it than with cookies!
I would send cookies to my oldest friend Tiffany. Her brother is in hospice care and at the end of his life and she is shouldering the burden of comforting her mother and mothering three children of her own while feeling unable to truly process the loss she is facing herself.
I immediately thought of my best friend, Heather, when I read this post. I have known Heather since high school (ages ago!). She married the man she started dating when she was 16 and they had 2 sons (the eldest is graduating from high school this year). About a year after their second son was born, her mother passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. Heather had been her care-taker.
Fast forward a decade later.
Heather’s husband heard a story while listening to NPR about an orphanage in China. His heart was moved & when he got home that evening, he had Heather listen to hit online. Her heart was moved as well and they decided to sponsor a child at this orphanage. Soon, they decided that wasn’t enough…and they decided to adopt a little girl, and indicated that they were willing to adopt a special needs child. The next year, they had their little girl – one year old when they got her. While in China, they visited the orphanage where their sponsored child lived. Their second son (they took both boys with them) insisted that they try to adopt a boy from that orphanage. And…a year and a half later…they did! Now they have 4, ranging from 1st grade to a senior in high school.
But that’s not all. Heather took up the cause of orphans to her church and started a ministry. Now, a year or so later, that ministry has grown to include foster children and their newest project is to help foster children who age-out of the system by providing them with housing and mentors.
Heather’s my hero. She amazes me. She deserves so much, but never asks for anything…no glory for herself, only for God.
At first I thought of myself, like most would, two of my school peers have passed away with in 32 days of each other (along with my great aunt and a student of another High School) and frankly I am not doing so well.
Then I thought of those around me and I would love to give these to my friend’s mother. My friend, Katie (age 18), had the flu and 4 days later, on a Thursday night she passed away while in heart surgery as the flu had damaged it severely leaving her in sudden and severe heart failure. Her heart was only functioning at 7-8%.
A month has passed since Katie’s funeral and no one is checking in on Mrs. Taylor anymore and I would LOVE to be able to bring sunshine to her day. Mrs. Taylor was only concerned with how the students were doing, and even went to the trouble to invite us to be a part of Katie’s funeral in hopes of giving us closure. Amidst loosing her child, she put her child’s friends first. I for one could never be able to do that. But I have be thankful beyond words for what she has done.
I want to do something special for her but being a High School Senior I have no time and very few usable talents in this situation. I have been praying as to what I could do but was at a loss. This seems right and I hope you allow Katie into your heart and will want to help her mother as much as I do.
Here is an article about Katie- http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7943727
And another about her funeral which I was privileged enough to speak at- http://www.carynews.com/2011/02/15/28626/cary-high-student-remembered-for.html
No one is suppose to loose a child, especially a teenage child. And to have the school loose another student exactly 32 days later to suicide (the first deaths of students in over 16 years), I know Katie’s mother has feelings that I cannot even imagine.
If I could be a part of giving her some glimmer of hope that the sun will shine again, I would love to. Thank you for this chance to honor my friend and thank her mother for everything she has done.
I would like to nominate a very dear friend of mine who is a general surgeon. He found out not too long ago that he has lymphoma. He is 42 yrs old and a very caring and giving person. He and his wife just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary in the hospital. They are seperated from their children while he is receiving treatment and their daughter will turn 16 while they are away. Their faith in God is amazing!! I think some cookies would hit the spot and help keep the positive thoughts flowing!!
I would love to win this for my baby sister. In October she lost her baby boy at 29 weeks. It was devastating, but she trusted God through all of it and has remained so positive and faithful. I am so proud of her. She has a baby girl turning 2 at the end of this month, and another baby due again in October. She LOVES your blog and her family loves cookies. So to me, this would be the perfect little pick me up for her. Anyway, I am so thankful that you are choosing to be so generous with your gifts and talents. This to me is an offering of your first fruits unto the Lord to be used for His purposes. So regardless of whether or not I win, I am thankful for the thought,
My brother, Greg, who suffers from atypical trigeminal neuralgia. He was an unfortunate victim of an oral surgeon and has suffered with grace over the last 9 years. He has even had brain surgery to try and alleviate some of the issues to no avail. I have never heard him once complain “why me” and am astounded at his positive attitude and spirituality in facing this terribly painful situation on a daily basis. The cookies would need to be “soft” since he has trouble eating, but I know he would be thrilled with any gift.
I can nominate myself?? Wow!!! Well I’d like to put in a good word for myself and my 2 kids. Everyone’s birthday is coming up soon. My son’s birthday is today and he is 27 and when I called and wished him a happy birthday he sounded so down. He is in a job that he hates and keeps him away from home. Cookies cure everything!!! My daughter’s birthday is March 31st and she is also away from home (and has a daughter of her own which I miss dearly). And then my birthday is in early April …. and I will be without my kids. Again …. COOKIES MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER!!
Thanks for this opportunity ….
At the risk of being self-centered, I’d like to nominate myself, lol. I’ve been so incredibly lonely lately and very overwhelmed. I am 7 months pregnant with twins and was recently left to raise the children on my own. I live several states away from my family and am here alone. I am very grateful for my little lovebugs inside, but often struggle with wanting to give up. I, too, am a baker (nothing like your creations!) but haven’t had the will to bake lately. I am in the middle of moving and trying to prepare for these babies at the same time. I would definitely *try* to share the cookies with those who came to help with the babies, but no promises from this pregnant sweet tooth, lol. On second thought, maybe you SHOULDN’T give me those cookies! Haha, temptation!
You have so many wonderful entries above–good luck with choosing! I pray that whoever you select is blessed beyond measure with your little box of sunshine. It is definitely an idea I will pass on and do when I have a little more energy…
I would like to nominate my grandparents because they have both been feeling sick lately but still will do anything to make us happy.This is a fantastic idea and really opened my eyes to what is happening in the world.
I’d like to nominate my former boss. He’s a single father of 3, and recently had to move in with his parents because his landlord sold his rental house. He’s about to go on a two-week trip across the state for job training, and is so stressed out. I will do nearly anything to put a smile on his face, including petitioning for the most awesome cookies on the internet.
I would love to nominate my hubbie for the cookies – pre pregnancy I would bake and cook all the time, I loved to be in the kitchen. But since I turned about 5-6 weeks pregnant I just can’t do it. I am just so sick all the time and plain exhausted that he often has to whip up dinner and do the dishes too, and he always keeps us on top of laundry and chores. He is amazing!
I’m looking forward to being able to be in the kitchen a little more after the baby comes, but being that it’s our first I’m sure there will be a very steep learning curve before that happens!
I would love to nominate my daughter. She is just 8 very short weeks from graduating from college and is scared of the future. I can certainly understand and wish I could make this an easier time for her.
i would love to send these to my friend in texas — she recently moved and is very homesick for all of her friends here in michigan. i know these would be a much-appreciated pick me up.
I’d like to nominate a single mom from my church. She has come so far, I mean REALLY far from where she was just two short years ago. She is working full time, has left a lot of garbage go out of her life and is now leading a single mom’s group in our church that has done so many good things for a place called House of Hope (a home for single mothers who have no where else to live) and another home for young women who have aged out of the foster system and also have no where else to turn. She’s striving to better herself and the lives of other young moms in our community and she so deserves this pat on the back. I nominate Bridget.
I would love to try your cookies but in the spirit of the “contest.” I would like to nominate a family from my church. They have had a rough time since last July. there has been so much that has happend that i cannot share on here but would be happy to share a few things in private. Cookies would go along way! Something that says HOPE on them. In lots of fun bright colors. . . getting ahead of myself here. thanks for this great idea!
My best friend from childhood lost her little and only sister Saturday night in a tragic car accident. She was 22, two weeks shy of her 23rd birthday. Amber was full of life, and lived each day to the fullest extent. Always wearing a smile, her laughter was infectious. Since they live cities apart the last time my best friend saw her sister was at Christmas. Being a big sister myself, my breath gets caught at the idea of losing my sister. I don’t know of a single person who will need a bigger reason to smile in the coming weeks than my best friend.
My mom is the hardest working person I know. She takes care of her ailing parents which sounds completely normal … but of course it isn’t. They divorced each other 50 years ago! when she was 8.
My grandmother has Alzheimers disease and requires physical therapy a few times a week. My grandfather is on oxygen 100% of the time. He’s confined to his living quarters because moving about the house is just too tiring. She cooks and cleans and keeps everyone company, sacrificing her own social and romantic life.
She is a wonderful friend and mom to my brothers and I. Sometimes she’s helpful to a fault… but she’s working on that
She is Super Grammie to 4 biological grandchildren and 3 pseudo grandchildren. In the summer, she takes Wednesdays off work to lead her brood on infamous Grammie Days.
I can call her day and night and she’ll drop what she’s doing to help me out. If I have one sick bittle to take to the doctor, she’ll watch the other sleeping one in the car. If she’s coming for a visit, I know I can call and ask for a gallon or two of milk and she’ll stop off and grab it on her way. It saves me a tremendous amount of effort in loading up 2 kids and heading to the store.
She makes my life significantly better. At work, she calms and comforts the worries of hundreds of women as the Practice Manager for Inland Women’s Health Center. She answers the worries from moms-to-be and is loved and cherished for her work.
We cannot go shopping or to the park without bumping into a grateful patient or three!
I know the cookies would make hers and my grandparent’s day.
I would like to nominate my Aunt Besty. She lost her husband of 45 years in January 2010, then lost her dad exactly 1 year later. To the DAY! She has been through so, so much but always seems to be willing to help others. I would love to be able to do something for her for a change!
Thank you!
I would chose myself but not for myself. i would take a dozen to a friend who is struggling after a recent c-section and the other dozen to another friend who is having a rough time right now. I would not just take them and deliver. i would have a cup of tea, have a chat, have a prayer. have a moment to connect
I would nominate a family in our church whose 5 year old son, Owen, is battling leukemia. It’s been a long road for them (since August) and they could definitely use a pick me up! They also have 3 other children under the age of 10 (Owen is 5). Thanks for the giveaway! How sweet!
OH, I nominate my hubby! We have been married a year and a half, have two babies and he is currently on deployment. If anyone could use a cookie it’s him! ;]
I love this idea btw~
I would like these for my darling 8 year old. She is a very sweet child and helps with her younger sister who has autism
I would love to take the teachers out at our high school cookies!! They deserve a little bite of heaven now and then!
Also, I send cards that i make out to a lot of my friends and sending cookies would be really special.!!
Thanks for an opportunity!
Melissa from a little town called Naches, WA
i barely make enough to pay my own bills and my bf hasn’t been able to find work in over a year. we try to stay positive, thinking that if we just keep going that we’ll eventually catch a break, but it’s overwhelming. the hardest part is keeping a straight face (partially by choice, i’ll be honest, but it’s also partially necessary).
Hi Amanda! Love this way to give a little back. I started writing about my sister who is so deserving and the letter was sooo long, I thought you would never get thru it. I just erased it and thought, I will tell you someone, anyone of us should stop and do something nice for you. So if you feel like it, send me your mailing address and let me send you a little something I have to offer and I will send it to my sister too! You have made my day so many times. No matter what kind of day I am having, I adore reading your posts and looking at your photos of HAPPY! Thank you.
What a wonderful idea! I would love to nominate my husband. He lost a job three years ago, and although he again found work, the loss of income led to us going through bankruptcy and foreclosure this past summer. During that time, I went through postpartum depression after the birth of our second child, and he was wonderfully supportive, loving, helpful, and ever hopeful for my recovery. Last month, my husband again lost his job. He has been working around-the-clock to find a new job, and has been trying to be the rock for our family when I know he feels so much guilt and anxiety. He could really use a boost to encourage him and let him know that he still is a wonderful husband and father.
My 30 year old cousin is in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery (his second in four years). He has the cutest 3 year old son and his wife is 8 months pregnant. It has been a very stressful couple of weeks for him and his family and I’m sure cookies will make his recovery a little more bearable.
My sister Heather could use some cookies…she is on complete overload right now in her final semester for her master’s degree in accounting. Add that with her holding a demanding position in our church and raising her four children, she is a prime candidate.
This is a funtastic idea! I am going to sit down and evaluate my own talents and see what I can come up with and do something like this! Way to go!
Wow. You’ve got some reading to do! My dad, father of 7 (two of whom were not his birth children) is a tremendous example to me, my husband and my kids. He never quits or gives up, I can’t ever remember him speaking badly of anyone, he is a true and loyal friend, he has GIVEN away more cars, vans, tires, time, and so many other things than I will probably even own in my lifetime. His life every day is all about how he can serve, help and support others. He chose to be a father and a husband at the age of 21 and never looked back. I have never heard him complain or regret the fact that he took on that much responsability at that age. He has become a father and mentor to my husband who had none. My mom, but his wife first, changed addresses, from earth to heaven, two years ago in April. In typical fashion, he remained steady and a support to all those around him, when he could have easily and nobody would have blamed him, just stepped away, and HE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY likes cookies!
I would like to nominate my chemo nurses at Henderson Comprehensive Cancer Ctr. Whenever I think of the saying -”grace under pressure”- I think of these wonderful,caring,patient women – they are absolutely amazing! I have been extremely blessed and priveledged to have them as my chemo nurses.
I think your blog is great and I look forward to reading it whenever I get the chance!
Best wishes on your soon to be blessing:-)
My mother and Uncle, don’t worry they know how to share! We lost my grandfather in Dec, soon before Christmas, he fought skin cancer for 12 years. They have been coordinating my grandmothers care and move to a new place. If that weren’t enough they are both very busy in their jobs, my uncle is a higher up in the cdc and my mother is the VP of philanthropy for the central va foodbank. My Uncle has 2 young daughters and a wife, and hasn’t neglected them through all this either. My mom has to travel 3 1/2 hours each way to help out.
How they both do all this and remain sane I am not sure, but I’d love a way to tell them I love them, appreciate what they are doing and give them something to smile about!
I would choose my sister, she was diagnosed with cancer in January. I always have a special treat packed in the “chemo bag” for her. Cookies would be nice, they can always make you feel better and bring a smile to your face. Thank you for this wonderful and generous giveaway!
What a sweet thing to do, and after reading just a few of your entries, I don’t have any idea how you’ll be able to choose. There are so many people needing a little love right now. Instead of nominating someone to add to your list, you’ve inspired me to just go ahead and make some cookies myself. They won’t be as pretty as yours, but maybe they’ll make somebody feel a little better.
I would love to nominate my boyfriend. He graduated with a master’s degree in education a year ago this spring. He is still looking for a job and although it would be great financially to find a teaching position, the thing that kills him the most is feeling like he isn’t contributing to students’ lives like he wants to. I wish I could give him a job, but instead I have to settle with little acts of love like cookies. Please consider my entry! Anyone you choose will have a little dose of happiness.
I would love to give these to my mom. She has been by my dad’s side through all of his heart health troubles. She never complains but watches over him the best she can. I think she could really use a spot of joy!
It took me a long time to decide who to nominate. I struggled to pick between two people who have both recently suffered the worst possible thing in life, the loss of a child.
Actually, the lady I chose has not lost her daughter but Shelby is VERY sick, and the prognosis is not good.
I met Carmen through cookies. She was a joy. She was one of those people who never forgot to say thank you, more than once, and tell me how much it meant to her to have something I made.
The hard part is, Carmen is very sick herself. Diabetes has left her unable to work (whe was a teacher) and she has a pacemaker in her heart and is now awaiting stomach surgery.
After waiting a long time to have a daugheter, she was finally able to adopt a precious little girl, Shelby.
I am crying as I type this because the rest of this bothers me SOOOOOOO badly.
Recently, Shelby was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor wrapped around her brainstem. The doctor actually gave them a timeframe. But Carmen and her husband took the to every hospital they could until they found someone who was willing to take the chance.
I hate it that she has already been through so much, and is suffering more. I hate it that sweet precious Shelby, who hugged my crying Caleb through t-ball games is sick, and I wish I had a magic wand to take this away.
I guess I better stop here, but I really think Carmen and her family deserve something special. Even if it’s a little smile.
Every time I think of her I remember her thank you. Carmen ALWAYS says, thank you for helping us make a memory. I want her to have many many more special ones.
How wonderful! Everyone needs to be this generous and selfless… I will definitely work on it myself.
I’d like to nominate my mother. She watches my one year old son during the week while I work so that I can save money on daycare. I don’t know how I’d ever get by without her help. She also doesn’t hesitate to run over and watch him at night so I can go to the store for last minute things that we need or run out and get them for me herself. She’s really a lifesaver.
My sister Keren: she feeling very down right now and having trouble in school. I wish there was something I could do to cheer her up. I am the genius, so I always get things, and she doesn’t.
These cookies would really help though. 
I would love my mom to receive some cookies. She lost her dog rocky. We think he was about 16. He came from the shelter and lives a good live but it like losing a member of the family.
I would love to do this for my cousin Wendie. She has five children and is an active mother, wife, and Christian. Each Thursday for the past eighteen years she has prepared a family dinner for all of our family in the area. We eat dinner, play games, sing, tell stories, share prayers, and just talk. We consistently have 14 people and sometime have up to 25 people! She has shown me throughout my life the importance of family and how to care for them. I would love to share these cookies with her on a Thursday night and tell her how thankful I am to her for this tradition and creating so many wonderful memories.
The one person I know who could use this is my mom’s bestfriend Fay. Our families grew up together and last night Fay received some devestating news. Her youngest son has cancer and it is an aggressive form of cancer. He doesn’t live close to her either. Fay is the most wonderful person ever and is always there for everyone. When my brother was paralyzed in a diving accident she was there bringing us some happiness. I’d like to return the favour to her with some yummy cookies. She could use the sweetness.
I nominate my dad and you may read why by going to this link and reading about my Schmaltzy Sunday:
http://deidreholland.blogspot.com/2011/02/schmaltzy-sunday.html
My husband needs a good pick me up. Full time daycare for two kids was bankrupting us. He decided to stay home two days a week and then work his shift those two nights. He works about 50 hours a week in his first job. Then he works another 12 on the weekend for his second job. Plus he keeps the kids two days.
I would love to nominate my grandmother. She’s 92 years old. She has been a mother to me for most of my life along with my actual mother. Unfortunately, she’s nearing the end of her life. I do not say this lightly. She’s had a few heart problems and has decided on her own that she is ready to return home. She is no longer taking any medication other than for pain. She is the most brave person I’ve ever met. I wish I could see her more often, but we live a few hours away. Thank you for the opportunity to share about Mawsie.
I’d give them to my dad, on the occasion of his retirement this spring. He deserves it!
I think this a great idea, and its such a coincidence that I read your other blog to find out about this “giveaway”. My roommate, Allie, in college just lost her mom on Friday in a tragic car accident. She has two younger siblings (a sister is 8th grade and brother in 10th grade). Her mom was her best friend, they would call each other at least 5 times a day and every time Allie walked to and from her classes. The 3 of us roommates have been trying to do something special for the family and I think this would be a perfect surprise. The family is also from Canada so they don’t have any other family here in the states and I know they are struggling. The loss of her mom is so fresh and Allie is really trying to take on the role of the mother figure and be strong for her dad and siblings. Allie is one of my best friends and she is so loving and strong in her faith that I know she will one day make it through this horrible loss. We are always praying for her, and if all everyone can do is add them to their prayers, that is enough. Thanks,
Amanda
This is a great idea Amanda! The person that comes to my mind to nominate is my dad, Tim. His father passed away last October after a long and hard fight with a cancerous brain tumor. He was given about a year to live but died 2 months after the tumor was found.Then, just this month, his Mom was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Just 5 days later she was dead also. So I think these cookies would brighten his day!
My FIL has polio and the older he gets the worse he feels. I would love to brighten his day with these and the kids would love to share them with grandpa!
My dad!
Oh my gosh, what a rough week! In short: last week he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, which led to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and lack of oxygen was making doctors tell us he had a 1% chance of coming back to us.
Some were pushing to take him off the feeding tube, because he was in a coma with a great chance of severe brain damage, but TODAY HE WOKE UP!!!
It is such an answer to prayer!!!!!!
I would share these with my daughter’s nanny Shannon. She has been through everything with us, and may not realize how much she is loved and cherished as a part of our family. She’s been through the colic, the ridiculous teething, the boo boos, and through it all she treats our daughter as if she was her own. That means so much to me as a working mother – who seems to be everything to everyone, with little time for much else. Shannon is the part of myself that I want my daughter to know is real, loving, and downright awesome.
I would like to nominate my mom. My sister passed away 2 months ago and she is having a very hard time. My sister was 31 and the baby of the family. She had been on dialysis for almost 11 yrs and had many other problems. She was the heart of our family. I know my mom could use a little sunshine at this time. Thank you for spreading joy. I will come up with a way that my girls and I can do something small for others as well.
Oh, what a terrific idea. The person I would like to nominate is our son, Teen. He is a great kid. He is a great big brother and mentor for young Christians at our church and in our community. However, sometimes, a lot of times, his teenager-ness blocks out his greatness at home. Not to mention his little brother who tends to steal the spotlight and demand a bigger portion of our attention just because of his age. I just want him to know that he is great and that he is loved and that he is appreciated, because even though we tell him, I fear it isn’t often enough. He is a cookie fan, and I know that some encouraging words made of frosting would lift his spirits and let him know that we DO know and appreciate all those wonderful things about him.
I would send them to my husband. He has been by my side the past three years while I fought Leukemia twice, and a unbilical cord transplant. He has taken care of me and our three children, all while still working and dealing with a mold issue that forced us our of our house while we were dealing with my health issues. I see that he is stressed and overwhelmed, and could use a little suprise likt this to brighten his day.
I would love to nominate my Uncle Ross. He was recently informed that his teaching contract would not be renewed for next year. God has been faithful to let him know that He is in control, however, he could use some encouragement=) Thanks Amanda!
I would like to nominate my boss, Chuck Russell. He teaches autistic young adults ages 14 -20. He is the most caring person I know. These are his kids, not just students. A few years ago his wife died of cancer. He barely took any time for himself to recover because he felt the kids needed the consistency of a normal schedule. Chuck coaches special olympics and gives up his evening and weekends as a volunteer.
While there is a huge list of people that I care about that I think deserves a little sunshine in their lives; I would have to nominate my Mother. She is always giving and never asks for anything in return. She takes care of my father, my three grown brothers, other people in the house, and is a full time Mother to my nephew. She is always cooking, cleaning, and never has time to rest. She also squeezes time in to worry about me and what is going on the the world today. She never gets to rest or relax. I think this would make her day.
Awesome Idea!! I would love to nominate my mom. She is fostering my youngest sisters 6 children ages 14-2 while my sister is trying to get her life together. Mom works full time and does not get a break ever as she is raising my neices and nephews. She a wonderful role model to the kids and provides them with the safety and security that they need right now. My mom is truly the most selfless person I know.
You are SUCH a giving person…even with a full plate of your own…
What a blessing you are -
xoxo
I would love for my Fiance, Andrew, to get some cookies! We got engaged last Friday and he made everything so very special for me. I know he’s really stressed right now because of school and trying to find a new job to better provide for our future. Also, he is in the Marine Corps and next March he will be gone for a year long deployment. My parents want us to wait to get married until December, which he has done his best to accept, even though it will only leave us three months of wedded bliss before shipping out. He has handled everything with a good attitude and a reliance on God. He has been my strength and laughter and I adore him. He has a lot on his plate right now but I think there’s room left for some extra-special cookies! Thank you very much and have a blessed day!
My friend Amy is one a huge sugar addict as you can see by her latest blog post. (http://wearetheraddest.blogspot.com/). And two is recently the new mother of sweet baby girl with limb deformities. She also has one older daughter. She is a wonderful mother and while things may look happy and go lucky sometimes, I know that the doctor’s appointments and struggles that come with having a special needs child are hard. Your personalized sugar cookies would be just the thing to get her through another day. Thanks so much for making a difference.
Danielle.
Check out her awesome blog where she documents their life.
This is great idea! One of my best friend’s, Diana, is getting married in May and she is completely stressed out. Not only does she have the stress of a wedding, but her and her soon to be husband will be moving to a new city, who knows where, for his residency in Med school; so she has to wait to see where he will be accepted and then take that states pharmacy exam and then get a job. I think some cookies would be the perfect perscription for her! Please help aliviate a stressed out bride!