Dear Editor,
Hi, my name is Simon. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
This letter is to say thanks to the people of Bella Coola. My life has not been peaches and roses all my life. I’ve always had to work or find what I needed. But this year I thought it was all done for me and my family. We were in financial problems. I lost $36,000 on a land deal and had to eat my pride. Everything was going downhill.
Me and the wife were pulling out each other’s hair. Got arrested for problems with the wife. Got told by doctors that my boy was really autistic with mild retardation. A five year-old that is stuck with a three year-old’s brain. I just fell to my knees. What to do? Nothing can be done but hope for the best.
So I prayed and shared my thoughts with Mr. Ratcliff and Chris. I just told them I don’t know what to do! Just kept on having bad thoughts, really bad. So Chris and Sarah offered me a place to go for us not to leave the Valley. I took the deal for my son’s safety. My thoughts were still there! No money, no food, no power. How is Christmas going to work?
So I started telling my son that there was not going to be much for Christmas. I don’t think he got what I was saying but he understand that Santa was not coming this year. I told him Santa would not find us in the woods this year. But I just kept praying it would not be like that.
But somehow my prayers were answered. On the 21st we were able to get a small turkey, wow that was awesome. So I got cooking on the 24th and then all of a sudden some kind-hearted people who said nothing to me left a 10 litre jug of gas for us to light up the tree since we live off of a generator. They drove up to the gate and left it there with my name on it.
Thanks whoever you are! Was able to turn on movies for my kid and he got to see his pop-up Christmas tree light up. Made me cry when I saw his face of joy. Thanks whoever you are, I owe you big time. And on top of it we got Secret Santa’ed with food and gifts - wow thanks warmed up my heart.
I don’t know who but thanks made a five year-old’s Christmas come through. Had lost faith but it’s back now. Bless everyone and Merry Christmas, thanks Bella Coola.
SimonBella Coola, BC