#CBCGreatestGift: Free car can't compete with grandkids
Barbara MacDonald was given a free car when hers caught fire, but it's not her favourite gift
A Sydney woman says she's still amazed by the kindness of strangers after a man gave her a car after hers was destroyed in a fire back in May.
As part of our series The Greatest Gift, we're asking people to submit the stories of the greatest gift they've ever given or received. Stories can submitted by email at cbcns@cbc.ca.
Barbara MacDonald is our first submission. She was home sleeping one night in May when her car caught fire.
It burned so hot it melted the siding on a nearby house. When the smoke cleared, all that was left of the car was a charred metal frame.
Police never did figure out what caused the fire.
MacDonald said they narrowed it down to either an electrical fire or someone intentionally torching the car.
That left MacDonald with no way to get around to visit her children and grandchildren.
"I think you lose your independence when you can't get yourself you know where you want to be," said MacDonald.
Plus, she didn't have money for a new car.
2002 red Toyota Echo
After hearing MacDonald's story, a CBC listener came forward and gave her a car.
The man wanted to remain anonymous, but signed over a red 2002 Toyota Echo to MacDonald. She says that bit of kindness was overwhelming.
"I had never heard of this person, he didn't know me. I just couldn't believe that someone would just think of somebody else," said MacDonald.
MacDonald said the car was one of the best gifts she's ever been given, but it can't hold a candle to the greatest gift she ever received — her three grandchildren.
"I think you just see life in a different way when you have grandchildren. You can just experience everything for the first time, through them. With your children, you're just busy and responsible. But with the grandchildren, it's just pure pleasure," she said.
MacDonald says Christmas came early last year with the birth of her third grandchild, Liam, who was born Dec. 18.
If you would like to share your greatest gift story, please send an email to cbcns@cbc.ca.
On Christmas Eve, CBC TV will present some of our favourite greatest gift stories.