Happy Friday: Flood of Compassion

Sent from reader, Megan:

My family has been looking forward to a Christmas 2016 trip to Disney World for almost 2 years. My parents were paying for admission and lodging for my sister, my family of 6, my sister’s family of 7, and my brother’s family of 4. My boys have been faithfully saving their money to buy treats and souvenirs at Disney.

After severe widespread flooding devastated South Louisiana a few weeks ago, my parents and brother’s family lost their homes and many belongings, including my sister-in-law’s van. To intensify this tragedy, like thousands around them, they did not live in flood zones and do not have flood insurance. My devastated parents will use their savings to gut and repair their home/belongings, but my brother has been living on his savings, unemployed for a few months prior to the flood.

I was so touched when, instead of sulking about not being able to go to Disney, my 3 older boys (ages 9, 7, 4) came up with the idea to give their Uncle all the money they had saved for the Disney trip. They combined their money and bought him a gift card to Lowes and sent him a video message explaining how sorry they are that he lost his house and that they hope he can use their money to fix his house. My husband and I are so proud of them for being so thoughtful and compassionate, especially at their young ages.