I want to start off by stating that, although this post is sponsored by Sears, please don’t discredit any of the meaning or thoughts behind it. As a member of the Sears blogger squad, I was asked to think of a person/persons who really matter and shop for a special gift for them. Almost like the “unsung heroes” in our lives. While we were given ideas such as coaches, a mail carrier, and so on, I immediately knew who some of our unsung heroes really are, and I wanted them to know that.
Hopefully you’ll see why as I go on, and I continue to thank you all for your continued support around STSL and sponsored content. <3
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When I first started writing out this post, I took it in a slightly different direction. However, after reading through it a few times and having Jay look it over with me as well, I realized that I just didn’t feel comfortable with it. As many of you already know by now, my father in law hasn’t been well. And one of these days, I will find the right time to share some of the details of what’s been going on with you all. My original thought was to share some more of that in this post with you all today, but there’s a time and place for that and, for me, tying it in with sponsored content just didn’t seem right. It’s a deeply personal matter, and the details of it deserve their own place, straight from the heart.
So for today, rather than focus on the backstory of what’s been going on, I’d like to focus on the positive of where we are today.
I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but my father in law is currently in a nursing home. I’d be lying if I said we weren’t all a bit nervous/worried/hesitant about having my father in law here, but it is what it is. And, thankfully, he’s had some fabulous people by his side. And ours.
It’s been almost a month (hard to believe) that he’s been there, and we really have been so pleased with how things are going. He’s getting physical therapy almost daily, and really is getting stronger. It’s been incredibly comforting to have him getting back to his normal, witty self!
And honestly, a lot of the credit for that needs to go to the nursing home staff that tends to him day in and day out. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few of the nurses and aids during my visits, and everyone has been so friendly and helpful.
Knowing that you have people like that in your corner is so incredibly comforting, and although we continue to give our thanks and gratitude, I really wanted to do just a little something extra.
Unfortunately, there are rules when it comes to staff being able to accept personal gifts from others, which made things a little more challenging. But there is one thing that I think is always appreciated and can be admired by more than one person, and that’s flowers.
Did you guys know that you can order flowers through Sears? Because I certainly didn’t, until I was browsing around on their mobile app one day and saw it.
While it was easier for me to order the flowers via my computer, Sears recently improved their mobile app, which I’d highly recommend you check out: Sears.com/mobile.
It allows you to check out local ads, deals, coupons, and more.
It’s a quick way to get shopping done, and even allows you to utilize their integrated retail services, like In-Vehicle Pickup.
So I ordered my flowers and had them delivered to the nursing home staff the very next day. They arrived right on time, and while I wasn’t there to be able to see them be delivered, we’ve had many of the staff stop by my father in law’s room to say thank you.
I actually hadn’t even told my mother in law I was sending them, so she was a bit thrown off guard at first. :)
So for us right now, the nursing home staff are the unsung heroes in our lives. The ones that come to their job every single day, making a difference for someone we love so greatly. And we’re very lucky to have them by our side.
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Sears also wants to give one of you the opportunity to shop for your own unsung hero and those who are important in your life. So to do that, they’re offering a $50 gift card. To enter, just leave a comment on this post sharing who your “unsung hero” is, and what you’d like to surprise them with this holiday season.
I’ll choose a random winner on Friday, December 11th. Good Luck! :)
My unsung hero is my mom and I’d love to gift her with a pair of warm, soft pajamas, so she can feel comfortable relaxing at home after a long day of work.
My unsung hero is my mother-in-law. She puts up with a lot, however, is always willing to help anyone out at the drop of a hat. I am so lucky to have her in my life
I would use the $50 on my mom. We lost my dad almost 2 years ago and she has been heartbroken ever since, so she could definitely use something like this to cheer her up!
My unsung hero is my dad. He goes above an beyond for all of us everyday and I’d love to surprise him with a new briefcase.
My mom is my unsung hero. She has done more for me than she will ever know.
My unsung hero is truly my husband. He is a phenomenal man in general, but an absolute treasured partner, father and my my best friend.
My unsung hero is my aunt Debbie. She is an incredible woman who has helped me so much.
My unsung hero is my husband this year has been tough for us and we have worked so hard for our relationship and health. He has lost over 30 lbs and after a stressful period, he is back to working on his health. I know how hard it is for him each day and feel so blessed to be on this journey with him. God and bad I’m there for my unsung hero and feel blessed every day.
Courtney, as far as nursing home staff goes my family member was also in a facility and the care staff work so hard. Love this post!
My unsung hero is my mom!
Mothers everywhere are unsung heros. And I have an amazing one! I would love to pamper her a little extra this holiday season with a Sears gift card.
my unsung hero right now would have to be my fiancé – lately is seems like things are just adding up one by one along with planning a wedding next year he has really kept me calm. I don’t know what I would do without his love and support.
Also, the is a lovely post. I lost my mom years ago and her nurses were amazing. Having a good care team really does make an awful time just a little bit easier. I am so happy you are having that same experience and I think about you and your family often and send positive vibes. Have a good weekend!
My unsung hero would be my husband. As working parents and two small children (with another on the way!) our lives are very busy. He has been so wonderful lately pitching in more than his share as I have not been feeling well myself. I would spend it all on him!
My mom! The amount of care she gives her family with so little in return while dealing with her own struggles never ceases to amaze me! I would love to just give her a full weekend getaway one day to relax!
My unsung hero is definitely my mom. I put her through a lot while growing up, but not once did she ever fail to show her love for me. <3
My unsung hero is my mom. I would love to gift her new clothes since she never buys herself anything.
What a great, heart warming post. I too have had family in a nursing home and good hearted people are such a treasure when you can’t always be there. They really do deserve much more then they can be given.
My hero would have to be my moms best friend, my aunt Kim. She recently has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has begon treatment which has been pretty intense. And of all things she is worried about is getting her Christmas shopping done, so crazy! So something for her would be a special treat.
One of my unsung heroes is a very special friend of mine. I met her last year through a food blogger cookie swap (we’ve never met in person!) and we became the best of friends very quickly over our love of cats, food, and all things nerdy. Haha! She is currently nearing the end of her medical school and she deserves a special something something for all her hard work. She was even there for me when my father was diagnosed with cancer and I needed someone to talk to. She surprises me with random, sweet gifts throughout the year. She’s the best!
I would use it for my unsung hero, my grandma, who just moved into an apartment by herself because my grandpa is in a memory care facility. She deserves something extra special this year!
My unsung hero is my Grandmother. Not only is she a breast cancer survivor who continuously demonstrates grace, faith, and strength, but she is currently caring for my grandfather (her husband of 56 years) who has dementia.
I have many unsung heroes in my life..my mom and sister come to mind immediately. But I think I would like to acknowledge my Grandma who is in a long term living facility do to severe Alzheimer’s disease. I love her tremendously and she will never know how much respect and gratitude I have for her.
You do good work, Courtney. <3 My unsung hero is my husband, Collin. I have a chronic illness that can make certain moments of our lives trying or scary or hard, and he has been there for me through it all. He signed up for me knowing what he was "getting into," and while it hasn't always been easy, he has never wavered in being by my side. That's love. I would love to give him with something from their tools section! Maybe a shiny red toolbox; we all need one of those. ;)
Bless you and your family this holiday season and beyond. Xoxo.
Mine is definitely my dad. I’d love to surprise him with a 6 pack of beer :-)
My unsung hero is my grandma. She is the matriarch of our family and brings so much joy to our lives. She is always there for me with positivity
Wow that’s such a hard choice…I have so many unsung heroes that I truly admire and respect for various reasons. I guess I’d have to say my childhood best friend who I has seen me through the worst and best times and is always there when I need her no matter how many years I’ve been incommunicado. Not only has she been there for me but for my family. On top of it all she is absolutely beautiful and kind to everyone while having three children.
The best part is she is so humble and never flaunts her success or physical beauty.
I would love to give her some personalized simple plaque that she could display to remind her how wonderful she is to me and all she comes in contact with.
My unsung hero is my finance’s father who cares for his mother will Alzheimer’s. I would love to gift him with a new coat because he has worn the same one for decades and it has taken a beating over the years.
I would have to say my mom – she’s been so incredibly supportive and helpful as I go through my first pregnancy and, simultaneously, she’s been taking care of my sick aunt and grandmother! I don’t know how she has the energy to take care of everybody and would love to surprise with something to make her feel special!
Courtney, this is very clearly a heartfelt post and I think you’re absolutely right to pick the nursing home staff as unsung heroes. They really give so much to assist our loved ones. I’m so sorry your father-in-law is going through this. <3
I think my husband would be my unsung hero. Despite stress with work and his own insecurity as a new parent, he has been my rock through pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of our son's life. It's so hard for me to surprise him because he always buys whatever it is he wants himself, but I'd use this toward a new watch that he's hinted at.
My unsung heroes are my doctors & nurses who I saw for years before finally getting pregnant with my son! They do amazing work and are so wonderful and I feel like they never get the proper thank you after accomplishing what seemed like an impossible task at the time :)
Wishing you and your family well!
My unsung hero is my mom. She is the most giving kind hearted person I know. Everyday I try more to be like her. She is special education teacher at the high school I attended 12 yrs ago and has been there for over 15yrs she has this way with them it amazes me.
My sweet mama is my unsung hero. She does so much for our family and would give up anything for us. I hope to be half the mom she is one day!
My unsung hero is my dad. He’s gone through a lot in the past two years losing function of his arm and regaining it as well as tons of pain in his leg and rehabbing that.
One of my unsung heroes would have to be my mother-in-law. My husband has 2 handicapped siblings and she has faithfully cared for them for over 40 years, feeding, bathing, and carrying them every day! I’m so inspired by her commitment to them and to all of her 8 children!
My Mom is my unsung hero. She’s been dealing with some medical issues lately, but she’s not letting them get her down, and she’s continuing to work, take care of my Grandma, and run the house. She’s amazing. I’d love to get her a fun piece of jewelry to remind her how awesome she is.
Thank you for your appreciation of medical staff! I am an nurse and it is means a lot to know we are appreciated! Glad they are taking great care of him :)
My unsung hero is my mom! She is so helpful to everyone in our family and it often goes unnoticed. I’d love to do something special for her!
I cannot imagine what your family is going through, but as you point out…what a blessing for your father in law to have the support and care he is needing at this time. How thoughtful for you to send his support team flowers!
My unsung hero is my grandmother. She has been taking care of her husband (my grandfather for the past year) as he struggles with Alzheimers. Being far away from them (military family) I would love to send both of them some joy in their day!
My unsung hero like many others, is my mom. She does so much for so many no matter what. She has been VERY stressed at her job lately and I would love to surprise her with a little something special.
My unsung hero is my mom! She is the most amazing person, and I don’t know how I’d still be functioning without her!
Definitely my parents! They’ve done more for me than I’ve ever deserved and they are still so loving, kind, and supportive. They will never be thanked enough, but a little special gift can always help say thank you.
Similar to your unsung heroes, the nurses at my job (a hospital) definitely deserve a little something special for all of their hard work. What they do every day is AMAZING and I give them so much credit for being such wonderful, attentive, caring people day in and day out.
My mom and dad. They have done so much for me and sometimes it’s hard to fully realize that until you have your own kids. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.
Prayers for your father in law and your family.
Your honesty and transparency in dealing with sponsored posts is one of the reasons you are one of my favorite bloggers. Class Act. <3
My unsung hero is my husband. He is my rock. He is the only person in my life who has consistently been there for me 100%. He is really hard to shop for so I'd probably just give him the gift car to spend however he wants. :)
My hero is my grandfather, who is also in a nursing home. Although it is so painful to see him in such a state I am thankful that he is still here with us. I would use the giftcard to buy him something that he can use/have while he is there!
Ill have to say my parents as well. I suffer from a chronic illness and so does my mom- so it’s been difficult but they take such good care of my 4 year old daughter when I’m not feeling well, despite the battles they go through themselves. I’m so thankful for everything they do for our family!
My husband is my unsung hero and I’d like to give him some new pajamas.
This is so sweet, Courtney. It’s so important to thank those special people in our lives, and often, their efforts go unrecognized in such a nice way. Such a thoughtful gesture for the wonderful people caring for your father-in-law.
I would love to send my mom flowers This holiday season. She is The best!
My unsung hero is definitely my mother. She is always there to help me and others. She delivers bread for the homeless and volunteers her time to any project or person that needs a hand. Would love to be able to get her something extra special this year to celebrate Christmas and my parents wedding anniversary.
My unsung hero is definitely my mom. She does so much for so many people and never expects anything in return. I strive to be more like her each day. I would love to give her something extra special this year!
My unsung hero is my dad who has been taking primary care of his mother this past year.
I would say my father. I would like to surprise him with new stuff for his garden and lawn, he loves spending time outside
My unsung hero is my mother in law. She has always been so supportive to me when I was going through school, getting a new job and basically anything new I decide to do. She recently has been very ill, but is one of those people who doesn’t like to ask for help even though she is always so willing to give it herself. It breaks my heart to see her in pain. She knows she can ask me and my husband for anything and we would be there in the drop of a dime, but I know she will not always ask. I would love to get her something special to show her how much she means to my husband and I.
My unsung hero is my mother in law. We got a puppy this summer and she stops by to let him out 3-4x a week while we are at work!
Love this post! It is so easy to forget the people that stand in the shadows! My military family is my unsung heroes! For fighting for our freedom, protecting us daily from things we are so unaware of, for moving around the world in a moments notice, for doing all of this with so little thank you comments ever being said!
My unsung hero is definitely my Mom! I don’t know what I’d do without her. She watches my 1yr old for me all the time and cooked me many meals this summer while my husband was deployed. She is an amazing woman and I would to send her flowers for a show of my love and appreciation
My dad. He does so much for me and my family (ok I guess my mom is part of it too) without giving it a second thought. I love him so much!
My mom for sure. She’s done so much for me when I was going through rough times health and otherwise.
my unsung hero is my husband. He does so much for us, and I know the kids and I aren’t great about letting him know how much we appreciate it all!
My mother, for sure. My grandma recently passed and she has been a rock star with all the arrangements, not to mention helping my grandpa out as well. I cant even imagine how much time and energy she’s poured into things recently, and I think some flowers would certainly brighten their day!
My unsung hero is my husband/our fathers. All three men have been so supportive of big life changes this year. They are always there when help is needed with out even having to ask.
This is a really sweet post. I really appreciate you making a real post even for sponsored content. My sister is a geriatrician and works exclusively in nursing homes. She relies on the nurses to tell her if each patient is acting like themselves. Not all (very few actually) nursing homes are bad. Sounds like you found a great one!
My unsung hero is my husband. Our family is about to grow to a party of four, and I lean on him everyday to help us make it through as a partnership!
My unsung hero is definitely my mom. She takes care of my grandparents who live nearby, my dad who has parkinson’s and also works so hard during the day. She keeps it all together and everything running smooth!
Thanks for posting this, Courtney. We put my Grandma in a memory care unit (dementia & Alzheimer’s) almost a year ago, and it’s such a tough experience. You realize very quickly how important the staff is at these facilities. The staff at my Grandma’s place are so kind & patient and treat her with such love that it makes the situation so much better. I think this is a great pick for your “unsung hero.”
My unsung hero is my cousin, Kathy. She goes above and beyond in the community and within my family to help everyone and never expects anything in return. It would be nice to treat her with something special and show her just how appreciated she is. Flowers might even be that perfect something special.
My unsung hero is my sister. She is an eating disorder counselor in LA, and she is absolutely amazing! I would love to surprise her with a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers :)
My Dad… !
My unsung hero is my brother who has been a rock by my side since forever. He is great at supporting me and our family.
My un sung hero is my husband. This has been a long year (was was in Korea for a year) and we are finally back together. He was my rock when I thought I wasn’t going to make it through the entire year (I sold our house, and moved across country without him!)
Two! My parents :)
My unsung hero are my parents who watch my children 1 day a week and are always there to lend a hand. I would love to send them something to say thank you!
I would use the giftcard for my Grandmother who turned 80 last week, who has helped my and my 27 cousins with our tuition and undergrad education costs.
Mine would be my Mom and just a bouquet of flowers to say “I Love You” would be such a blessing to her!
I’m right there with you– NURSES!
My unsung hero is definitely my dad!
My husband is our unsung hero because he works so hard to take care of us.
My hero is my friend zhenya! She always helps people in need even though she has lot of health issues. She is a hard worker, loves people, and is always helpful. I think she would really deserve this. She also was adopted at age 16 from the Ukraine and has over come so many obstacles.
my unsung hero would have to be my husband! I know it’s cliche but he makes sure that I’m always taken care of.