At Christmastime, we rush around in desperation, searching for the perfect gift for friends and family. If it’s not the “right” toy or gizmo, we panic. But, that’s not what Christmas is really about. Sometimes it’s so easy to give someone a beautiful gift, even if you don’t know them. This year, my friends A and K have decided to contribute to a beautiful cause and have enlisted my help in getting the word out. We would love to have you join us in sending Christmas cards to Patsy Roberts, a very deserving person.

Patsy Roberts is an 87-year-old woman living in New York with a very moving story. She has spent her life collecting greeting cards from her friends and family in the hopes of reading them “when her time comes.” But all the cards she has saved—a lifetime of messages and memories—were lost to the wind and rain of Hurricane Sandy.

Patsy is heralded as a woman with a beautiful spirit. Friends, neighbors and family attest to this. She labors over the cards she sends to others, writing personal messages and offering encouragement to each special person in turn. You can read more about her here in this article. Cristian Dobles, Patsy’s son-in-law, is asking people to send a card to her so that she may receive a beautiful Christmas present.

A, K and I have never met Patsy, Cristian, or their families. But that’s just how A and K are, so giving and thoughtful. Their enthusiasm is infectious and I’m happy to help them and to help make Cristian’s wish for Patsy come true. If you wish to participate and send a card to Patsy, please go buy a holiday card and drop it in the mail by December 20th. Any message will do.

Her address:
Patsy Roberts
130-04 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Belle Harbor, New York 11694

If you are on Twitter, let us know you are going to participate, or that you have participated by using the hashtag: #CardsForPatsy. You can find me on Twitter @writervsworld.

Let’s make this happen!