6/12 To the mystery miracle women in Greensboro, NC:

To the mystery miracle women in Greensboro, NC:

I found a package on my doorstep yesterday that included a needed note of encouragement, a gift certificate to a nail salon and a bracelet inscribed... 'Keep fucking going'... signed 12 Ordinary Women. Just a few years ago i would have never imagined the emotional impact or even receiving such an anonymous gift. The events in my life are surreal being diagnosed with Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer and going through a very public and painful divorce after 25 years of marriage all at the same time.  

Your kind gift came to me just at the moment when I needed strength, as I was in the depths of nausea and fatigue from my second round of chemotherapy. The impact is immeasurable, and the kindness of the 'stranger' was a blessing from God and came to my door just when I needed it the most.

You see on TV women on women bashing with the reality shows and Desperate Housewives drama. It is frustrating that these shows are popular, and I do not believe that this represent the power of women. Women are a powerful force, and I have received caring and nurturing acts from my friends, of acquaintances that have kept me going and lifted my spirits. I greatly appreciate the founders of 12 Ordinary Women and those who are carrying on these acts of kindness. When I am through this battle for my life, I would love to be a part of this movement.

So thank you, sincerely thank you from the deepest part of my heart.

Sonja

6/10 I received a text on Saturday night saying a gift was coming to me

 What a surprise and blessing! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I received a text on Saturday night saying a gift was coming to me and thought it was a wrong text. So deleted it. Then on Sunday while at Mass there was a delivery brought to our house that my husband received for me. We both started to to tear up when opening all the very generous amazing gifts. And wondered who and why? I have been helping my cousin who needs a lot of help right know. I was at her condo all day Saturday and then all day Sunday so the "Gift of Hope from 12 Ordinary Women" was extra specially and perfect time. I shared some of the gift certificates and chocolate with her. She needs to be in our prayers. We have had a few challenging years too....All the Gift Cards, Chocolates, flowers and Basil are overwhelming! I don't know if I feel deserving of such a generous gift and it is hard to receive anything since I am the one that like to give.The gifts are all incredible and humbling! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. What a blessing you all are. Know that they will be put to good use. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! again. What a blessing it is to my family, me and my cousin. 
Thank you for this wonderful organization! God Bless you

Judy

5/24 What a blessing!

What a blessing! I can't express how surprised and blessed I was this morning to have a stranger ring my door bell and leave a card with a beautiful tree of life necklace with hope charm and money. After reading the powerful sentiment in the card, I have to say that touched my heart more deeply. I am so thankful for the thoughtfulness and encouragement of others when I am facing the most painful and trying time of my life. It has been 11 months since my 19-year-old daughter (my youngest child) walked out of our home and cut off all communication with all our family. We love her so much!! We know she is struggling with God in who she is, what she wants in life, and that she is loved greatly. My faith in Christ is strong; I know He is in control. Humanly, there are days when my anguish is overwhelming as I think about my daughter and the world she is living in and the situation and people that she has surrounded herself with. Today, I was reminded by this timely gesture and tangible gift that there are so many caring, loving people who see me, truly see me! Just as I find strength from this, I pray that wherever my daughter is today that there is someone who truly sees her and she will find the strength to call out to God who loves her greatly and reach out to her family who loves and misses her deeply. Joy to you in the joy you give to others--the joy you have given to me!

Fran

5/9 Blessings to the 12 who participated preparing this and getting it to me.

I am so grateful for your gift! What a wonderful surprise to receive yesterday in the mail. Blessings to the 12 who participated preparing this and getting it to me. I am looking forward to taking care of myself in a special way, in a way that I might not otherwise have been able to. It has indeed been a trying, sad, unbelievable last few weeks for me and your gift is so appreciated and really brightened my day and my week. Most probably, it brightened my month and year too since I will smile every time I think of it!

Thank you again! I look forward to paying this forward someday and blessing someone else going through a tough time.

Danielle

5/4 WOW" that said, "12 Ordinary Women just stopped by our house."

We are a family of 6 with 4 boys. Our two youngest (4 & 5) have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and it's turned our world upside since diagnosis about a year ago. I was traveling for work and when I landed late I had an email from Dan with the subject line "WOW" that said, "12 Ordinary Women just stopped by our house." I had called him promptly as he explained these wonderful women had stopped by to bring a basket of gifts for our family. They got to meet Caleb that night. The next morning we looked through the basket together. It was so thoughtful and personalized. It brought us parents to tears and our kids days of smiles. Thank you to this wonderful organization who says they need no recognition by remaining anonymous, but yet delivers joy and happiness to families that don't have it so easy for one reason or another. Fantastic premise. Thanks for what you do. God bless each and everyone of you! Dan & Sarah

4/29 Overwhelmed by Generosity!

Hello and greetings! I am a 39 year old woman fighting brain cancer. Even though this is a terminal illness, I am lucky because mine is only Grade 3 which means TIME. Not a lot of time, I'm hoping to have 5 more years, but everything changes as soon as you go Grade 4. Once you are Grade 4 its’ time to fight/wrap things up.
For now, I get to enjoy my days, I teach yoga, and am committed to a healthy lifestyle to fight longer. Today I showed up at my yoga studio to find an envelope with my name on it. To my surprise it was a card from 12 Ordinary Women with cash inside! I cannot even being to express how much this means to me and helps. Because of my sickness I do not work, I am on social security disability, I have survived 2 brain surgeries, and last year I had to undergo chemo and Proton Beam Therapy (which is a more advanced version of radiation) at Orlando Health. It’s scary to be fighting for your life when you haven’t even hit 40. Please know how much it means to me to know other people are out there that care. Thank you for this wonderful group of women and all the wonderful things you do to help others.

Amanda

4/23 What a blessed surprise I received today.

What a blessed surprise I received today. I opened a hand addressed envelope today, not recognizing the return address. I thought when I was opening it that it was going to be an invitation to a time share presentation! But I was so wrong. I read the note with surprise and wondered who could be behind this! What a beautiful, unexpected and welcome gift of not only a tangible item, but even more important, the gift of renewed hope and gratitude to the lovely people of 12 Ordinary Women. Thank you! I hope that I can pay forward this kindness in some way each day. Thank you again for this amazing gift! God Speed.

Kimberly