Last Friday Gwendolyn received a surprise package in the mail. I already told you about the special Wizard of Oz tea set and boy does she love this. But the gifts also included a set of Wizard of Oz dolls and a Wizard of Oz sticker book. Now to say this was a hit is an understatement. When Gwendolyn opened the doll collection I don't think I've ever seen her eyes that big. She has clearly been dreaming of Wizard of Oz dolls because the look on her face was truly an expression of “My dream just came true!” In fact, she couldn't nap that day because I let her hold them and, well, she just wanted to talk away to them and smile 
).
The contents of the package were amazingly awesome and we are so appreciative, but it is the story behind the gifts that truly blew us away. You see the gifts were from our friends and fellow SMA parents, Corinne and Matt Painter, and were totally unexpected. This is a portion of their card:
Dear Miss Gwendolyn, We have watched you grow into such a beautiful little girl over the past 3 1/2 years. Our little girl Chloe is living in heaven and her birthday was this past July 6th. She was 4 years old! Our family has decided to choose one very special child to receive Chloe's birthday present every year. This year we wanted it to be you!
We, of course, asked permission to share this and really wanted to because we hoped this incredible gesture may help others as they find a way to process the enormity of losing a child. This tangible way to honor Chloe's memory is so moving; to give another child joy each year on the occasion of Chloe's birthday is, well, beautiful. Thank you Painter family for this selfless act of kindness. Thank you for bringing so much happiness to Gwendolyn in honor of your sweet Chloe.