Brotherly Love

I heard another story on Good Morning America this morning that I knew I had to share on my blog. It's a beautifully heartbreaking story that leaves you not knowing whether to feel happy or sad.

Karen Suffern is a single mother to 8-year-old twins, Ryan and Amber. Karen works part-time and struggles to pay the family's bills. Last weekend she asked her kids to write an early letter to Santa. Her son, Ryan, wrote his letter right away. When Karen took a look at the letter she felt saddened and touched. She shared the letter on Facebook with a few family members and close friends, who then shared it with other people. It went viral in no time.

 

Here's part of the letter: "Dear Santa … I wanted a remot contor [remote control] car and helieopter but I don't want that any mor. Kid at school are still picking on Amber and it's not fair because she doesnt do anything to them…,"  Ryan went on to say, "I prayed that they will stop but god is bisy and needs your help." 

Amber is overweight, has ADHD and a few mood disorders and has been bullied a lot. Karen said that Amber recently said, "Yeah, they [school kids] pick on me… I just feel like I want to die so that they'll leave me alone." I can only imagine how Karen felt hearing those words come out of her eight-year-old daughter's mouth.

Yesterday Good Morning America host Josh Elliott sat down with the Suffern family to interview them. Amber told Josh how kids at school pick on her, but she doesn't know why. "They said I'm fat. I'm stupid. I'm ugly. And I'm hideous." she told Josh. Ryan said he wishes kids would bother him instead of his sister. "You don't have to do that," Amber said. "Yes I do," Ryan said. It was so sweet to see Ryan and Amber interact with each other. You could just tell how much they love each other, and how much Ryan looks out for Amber. 

In his letter Ryan also wrote, "Is it against the rules to give a gift early?" Ryan asked Santa "Can you ask Big Time Rush to come to Amber's birthday party? It will make her so happy." (FYI, Big Time Rush is Amber's favorite band. I just thought I'd mention that since I'd never heard of them, and maybe you haven't either.) Here's a picture of Big Time Rush––they look like your typical teenybopper boy band:

Amber got the surprise of her young life after Josh finished interviewing her. He told her that he was pretty sure that Santa had gotten Ryan's letter. Out came Big Time Rush! They spent time talking with Amber (and Ryan and Karen) and of course sang some songs to her.

Karen later said, "Today and yesterday Amber didn't wake up begging me to let her stay home, so I guess that's a good sign."  I hope things DO get better for Amber because the thought of any child getting bullied breaks my heart.