I had one of those 'ah-ha' moments the other day.

Being a really practical person, I have tended to concentrate on the necessities of life for my contacts: food, clothing, sheets, hygiene stuff, tools.  Whatever their greatest necessity at the moment, I have tried to get it for them.

Then my little medic buddy Di asked for a particular game, Taboo.  I thought I had a used one in my stash of old games but did not, so dropped $20 at Target to buy it for her.  I got the most ecstatic e-mail from her after she got the game and they played it for the first time.  She told me how much fun they had, laughing at each other while playing this game, and that for 5 hours they totally forgot where they were!  I could not think of a better gift to give a serviceman or woman in Iraq or Afghanistan than to make them forget where they are for 5 hours!

A very dear soldier friend of mine is deploying soon for Afghanistan.  ISome of us have been trying to help him get stuff together for his deployment.  He kept saying he really wanted an iPod.  I thought, that is not a necessity and they are too expensive.  Then I got Di's e-mail about forgetting she was in Iraq for 5 hours.  So I bought my soldier friend an iPod.  When we were gathering his stuff together for his deployment, I handed him the iPod and said 'This is to help you forget where you are for awhile.'  He teared up and turned away.  His wife said that when he was in Iraq, he could not fall sleep without listening to music on his iPod.  It had broken and he was really worried that he would not be able to sleep in Afghanistan. 

So I guess my lesson learned is - sometimes what is a 'want' to you is really a 'necessity' to your soldier.  I'm buying a lot more 'wants' for my contacts these days... 

Thank you for sharing that story, Lilly!  Like you, I fall into the practical category.  I have to remind myself sometimes to just send a little fun.  Your generous gifts of the iPod and the game remind us that fun is important, AND sometimes there is more to a request than meets the eye.

Thank you for this Lilly.  Sometimes I choke a little when I go out to buy a movie my contact has asked for (I don't buy movies for myself) - next time I'll be able to do it with a smile instead of a grimace.  Perhaps a few less bottles of bodywash and a few more fun items are well worth my dollar...

Hey Lilly,

I can honestly say I have never told one of my contacts no when they have asked for something. I have people say "Are you crazy" but you just proven why I do it. You just never know why they want an item. If it gets them through one day it's worth all the money in the world. I get to come home everyday to a nice home, enjoy my family when I want too and feel safe and happy because the men and women in the arm forces or not gettting to do the same. They give up home and family and sometimes their lives just so I can do what I want to do. How do you put a dollar value on that?

Becky       

Okay, I guess I've "lurked" long enough.  Your discussion just finally got to me.  This past month I actually sent a night light.  A small, put near your cot if you can, little shade with leaves on it night light.  Felt a little bit silly, but -- hey, in the box it went.  And a blue printed flannel sheet set.  At least it made me feel better, I hope it made him happy.  (Or at least as much as the candy and DVD.)

My name is Miss Panda, but you can call me Pan, and this is my first post. But I feel like I know you all.  You're wonderful -- and give the best advice, too!!!!

Miss Panda

Lilly,

Like your Soldier, our grandson also said that there was no sleeping without listening to his music.  At times it covers the sounds around them, and then later, after some circumstances, it covers the sights and sounds of the mind that are so loud.

 Hi. Pan.

Gran

This is what one of my contacts posted after I sent her Taboo at her request:

YOU ALWAYS CHEER ME UP WITH EVERY PACKAGE, I ALMOST CRIED WHEN I GOT THE TABOO GAME. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT! SOMETIMES WE HAVE TABOO PARTIES AND WELL PLAY FOR HOURS IN MY CHU ( COMBAT HOUSING UNITS)

And that was nothing compared to the letter she sent.  She was my second contact, back in January...and I'm pleased to report she will be headed home to her two little boys in a week or two!  She taught me about needs and wants early on.

I have also learned that many soldiers don't know that they "need" what they "want" and therefore don't ask.  I try to send at least one "useless" item in every box...and often that's the one that gets the most heartfelt response.

Hey, Pan!  Thanks for joining us!  I've felt a little silly sending a few things here and there, but - like Free said - it's those oddball things that usually make the biggest impression.  For Easter I sent a contact a bunch of little plastic eggs filled with candy, and the candy in each egg matched the color of that egg.  He got the biggest kick out of my color-coordinated goodies!  It was an inexpensive gift, but he knew I'd spent a lot of time and thought on it, and THAT was what made him feel important.

Lilly,

Thanks for sharing.  I agree that if we are able to offer our Soldier friends a "mini-vacation" from the war zone, whether for 5 minutes or 5 hours, then we have been successful!  Di and your soldier friend are lucky to have your support! 

Becky, ditto.  If I'm asked for something, within reason, I'll move heaven and earth to make it happen.

I've found that the "off the wall" last minute additions to my boxes have been well received...Spider Man stick-ons and "eyeball" superballs were mailed recently.  LOL  Recently someone asked for a "security" blanket..soft and cozy...and I was honored to fulfill that request. 

Welcome, Pan.  Glad to have you here!

Hugs to all,  Brenda 

 

Gran:

Lilly,

Like your Soldier, our grandson also said that there was no sleeping without listening to his music.  At times it covers the sounds around them, and then later, after some circumstances, it covers the sights and sounds of the mind that are so loud.

 Hi. Pan.

Gran

 

My friend that is in Iraq talks about this all the time. He always looks for a movie or selects his music the he will fall asleep to. He says it helps him unwind and relax enough to fall asleep.

 

Andrea

Thanks for sharing, I too tend to be very practical .  At Christmas I splurge on more fun stuff, like gingerbread house kits, hand held elec. games like 20 questions.  The guys seem to really love those and I have the sweetest pictures of 2 tough Marines building the gingerbread house!  Sending lots this year.  Thanks for sharing this, another lesson learned on this great forum.   AA

When my son was in Iraq last, we would send things to help with boredom or to help the guys unwind.  They loved super balls, squirt guns, squishy dart guns, etc.  They often would hold marksmanship contests or duels! I got to where I would pick up things that I knew my 8 and 10 year old nephews would enjoy and then send to Dan and his guys.

HA!!! I love that and know it's so true...if an 8-10 year old would like it then it's a good bet that it would provided a bit of needed fun for our service members!!!

By the way, I found whoopee cushions at the Dollar Tree last night!!

Reta

I just recently sent a Halloween box to one of my contacts and his men.  (There are 11 guys.)  Each one got a bag filled with plato (I'm sure I spelled that wrong), a Halloween pencil, a mini whoopee cushion, pop rocks, a pumpkin squishy ball, a Frankenstein rattle, Halloween themed soap, mini pumpkin yo-yo's...oh man, I forget what else.  Then I sent them plates, napkins and cups with Halloween stuff on them, some Skyline chili and little decks of cards that were shaped as pumpkins and candy corn.  Before closing the box, I had found some silk leaves at Target (for $1!!!) that were colored like fall, I dumped the leaves in and sealed it up.  My contact had no idea the box was coming.  The email I received brought tears to my eyes.  The guys were overjoyed because they each got a bag for themselves and were so happy someone took "so much time" to do that for them. 

The box was a blast to put together for these guys and it really paid off.  So, I've learned that the little things, that most would consider silly or "too much" are things that bring the quickest smile!