Signs are all around that we're sliding down a slippery slope.

It's obvious to so many of us that 'society' is moving beyond civilization -  following the path of the once great Roman and Greek cultures . Business priorities are questionable, personal lives are filled with violence and disrespect.  The mighty quest for success seems to be rising above all things, including dignity, honesty, common courtesy and even our own kids. 

Just when I'm getting depressed - a Bright Light shines.

Last week my dear friend Dixie Dynamite (Dixie Gillaspie for those who haven't felt the power) sent a request out to FaceBook friends. Her friend Tammy's 8 year old son Robbie is fighting cancer. Dix is always talking about Robbie's bravery after years of chemo. He is a beacon of strength and positive thinking. Quite the 8 year old.

But this request wasn't for Robbie. It was for another kid who is fighting cancer as well - 5 year old Noah. Noah isn't doing as well as Robbie in his battle - he's losing.

The family is doing everything possible, but he's probably not going to make it to Christmas. So they decided to have Christmas early for Noah. When they asked him what he wanted for Christmas in November - Noah said Lots of Christmas cards.  Dixie put the word out to her friends for Noah's family, to support their precious little boy's final Christmas request.

Noah

I passed that request along, as did so many others. Blogs were written about Noah, and cards began to flow. Then more blogs came along, and more FaceBook wall posts and Twitter requests. The news literally flooded the social media universe. I did see a few comments about validating the story with Snopes.  Some of us don't trust anything anymore. 

But the majority of us DID trust. We opened our hearts to little Noah. Strangers from around the world united in a common cause - to make that little boy's Christmas wish come true. It is an outpouring of love, compassion and support that rivals anything I've ever experienced.

Noah engendered a showcase of civilized behavior.

I've heard all kinds of reports - from 30,000 cards waiting at the post office where Noah lives, to 3000 a day being delivered. I don't know if those numbers are true. But that's not what really matters.  We may never know the truth about the exact numbers.  Who cares whether its 3,000 or 30,000? Noah doesn't.

What matters is that we all united - and I know Christmas cards are flowing to make that little boy's precious face smile.

Noah's wish is coming true.

All of us are better for it. 

_______

If you still want to get a card off to Noah - here are his contact details:

Noah Biorkman

1141 Fountian View Circle

South Lyon, Mi 48178 .