This Grandma from Craigslist is in need of a family this Christmas!
A post on Craigslist is pulling at heartstrings worldwide titled, “Anybody need a grandma for Christmas?”
From Tribune Media Wire:
The post comes from a Tulsa woman who claims she has no family and would really like to join one this holiday.
Sadly, the post has now been deleted because the woman received hateful messages. Really, wtf?
However, that hate is fueling a love-filled search to find the woman and help make her Christmas special.
It all started Wednesday evening when Carson Carlock was on Craigslist looking for free stuff, per the usual.
“I go through the free part of Craigslist pretty often just looking for stuff because sometimes people give away stuff for free,” Carson said.
However, he saw a post that wasn’t advertising any items for sale.
“I saw that post, and I was like, ‘You know that’s really sad.’”
The post was titled, “Anybody need a grandma for Christmas?” It goes on to say, “I cook, and I’ll cook dinner and even bring gifts for the kids. I just don’t want to be alone because it hurts.”
The ad ends with “Let me be a part of your family.”
That was enough to remind Carson of his own mother which it made it even more sad for him.
“That really broke my heart reading that because my mom was alone on her last Christmas.”
His mother, Gail, was diagnosed with stage four cancer last year.
“She went to church a lot,” Carson said. “She loved her grandkids.”
Gail’s sickness got worse, making her unable to travel from Oklahoma City to Tulsa for the holidays. Carson tried to travel to his mom, but car troubles prevented him from making the trip.
“It was really not a good feeling just knowing, hearing her on the phone, and she’s like ‘I’m all alone.’”
It’s a conversation Carson won’t soon forget. His mother died last year and her memory is one he hopes to keep alive.
“She would want me to be the kind of person to do this for other people.”
This unique Craigslist ad, “Grandma for Christmas,” seemed like the perfect opportunity to honor Carson’s late mother and make a difference this Christmas. However, before he could reach out, he saw the post marred with hate.
“A lot of people started sending her hateful messages” Carson said. “I understand that everybody can be wary about it because there’s a lot of bad things happening in the world right now.”
People were accusing the “grandma” of having ill-intent, using the ad to take advantage of the families willing to welcome her into their home. The woman, claiming she just wanted to be a part of a family, posted an update after all of the hate. She thanked everyone for the “extra shot of pain.” The post was then deleted.
Carson decided to act.
“I don’t want anyone else to feel that way,” he said.
Carson made his own Craigslist ad, asking the “grandma needing a family,” to reach out so he could help her have a wonderful Christmas.
“I posted it, and it kind of went viral,” he said.
Two-thousand people shared the post overnight on Facebook. Thousands of people across the country came to the “grandma’s” defense, ready to welcome her into their home.
“I just want you to know that you aren’t alone,” Carson said. “If you find yourself wanting to be a part of a family on Christmas, just reach out.”
Carson said he did get in contact with the “grandma” through email, her name is Carrie. However, because of all the negative feedback she is hesitant to reach out to anyone about joining them for Christmas.
Hopefully she ends up trusting in Carson and they get together this Christmas. Let that be a lesson before you decide to be a bully on the Internet.
Prayers for you Carrie!
