A Word from Heller's Mom

December 22, 2008 is less than two weeks away. It was exactly one year ago when we were preparing for the holiday season in the cookie cutter routine we followed each and every year before. One year ago my calendar read, “Mail Christmas Cards Today!, Jenny’s Christmas Concert, and Heller in Church Play.” Heller would be The King this time. In years gone by, he was a shepherd, and before that, a lamb.

The twinkling array of lighted snowflakes beckoned to our neighbors from our front lawn, “Merry Christmas!” they seemed to shout out. “Yes, we too are festive!”

Our annual Santa photo was positioned in its dedicated frame upon the piano, and our hand-picked tree stood proudly in the corner of the room--thanks to a single late night of tree-trimming assistance from Heller.

A few chosen charities awaited our donations. Last year we selected Water for Life and ECHO--two organizations that we felt would best turn our meager gifts into small contributions that would ultimately help to change the world. I will admit; we put forth very little effort in our decision. These charities were easily selected because they were the two that Heller chose through his youth program at church and through the Honor Guard at school.

Yes, we were well on our way toward a holly-jolly, conventional Christmas when December 22nd callously appeared out of nowhere and knocked us off of our path, thus changing the course of our lives, and the future of our Christmases forever.

Here, as I post this message, I have the option to share with you a story of sorrow and remembrance, a story you already realize, or at the very least can imagine, in your own minds. Yes, our hearts are damaged. Yes, sometimes we do not know how to go on. We could very easily come face-to-face with December 22nd this year harboring anger, fear, and trepidation, but Heller wouldn’t have it that way.

So, this post, this site, and this year (as well as the years that follow from here until we may join Heller in eternity) are not intended to deliver melancholy. Our purpose, Because of Heller, is to deliver joy!

If you are reading this, you probably think you already know just how Heller’s family and friends plan to face December 22nd this year. You may have received a reminder card, observed a flyer, or accepted one of Heller’s kindness cards. Each of these state, “Because of Heller, we plan to Spread Random Acts of Kindness on December 22nd.”

The truth is, however, “random acts of kindness” implies chance, arbitrary, haphazard, or accidental acts. Heller’s family, friends, and those new friends who are choosing to join us, know that our plans to deliver acts of kindness on December 22nd are quite intentional. Our acts are not random in any way. They are purposeful, premeditated, deliberate, and planned. Our abilities to perform these acts are a gift from God, given to us because He knew our path would be a difficult one. He knew that “those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” J.M. Barrie

We know that Heller is celebrating his first anniversary with Jesus this year, and with that faith and knowledge we are comforted. This year, December 22nd will not go unnoticed, and with each act this season, we will thank God for our blessings. Our routine will be different this year, but it will never again be routine. This year, and every year that follows, we will put our faith into purposeful action as we commit our deliberate acts of kindness in memory of Heller and in honor of our Lord! We are so glad you are here to join us!

In His Love,
Hayley Ritz