Hi there, fellow friends. I’ve been away from Reddit for a while - since the big shutdown thing was happening- so please forgive me if I make some missteps on my return.

This sub has been the warmest, kindest, empathetic and most supportive community I’ve ever found online. Even my mistakes were met with understanding and kindness.

I’m writing tonight because I just simply don’t know where to turn. Brief backstory: A nasty custody case was finally settled in October, and beginning in January, my daughter will be spending 3 of 4 weeks per month with me. This is a huge win after her father withheld her from me for 90 days in 2022.

The trial was brutal, and cost more than 10k after the father refused to settle. I’m the midst of it all, I lost my job. I lost everything at one point.

The universe is good, karma is fair, and I have landed my dream job as a caseworker at a local school district. It pays a living wage, the schedule aligns with my daughter’s needs… it’s perfect. It starts on January 2nd.

Meanwhile, It’s the most wonderful time of the year and I’m desperate for a miracle. In a few months, this will be a distant memory, but for now, I’m experiencing the final pains of this era of my life.

My daughter will be dropped off on Christmas Eve at 10:00pm. As of now, I cannot even afford to buy lights for our Christmas tree (I do have ornaments). I’ve been Ubering my ass off, but I’m looking for your help with any offbeat ideas I can use to make this special for her and I. She’s 12, so she is finding her own style. She wants to redo her room, and I want to try and make this holiday the start of our new beginning.

Any tips you have, words of encouragement or support or anything else is so appreciated!

I absolutely adore you, fellow Ents. I’m looking forward to an amazing 2024 for all of us. 💚