The Murphy Family

“I believe that a smile can make someone’s day, and if everyone tried a little harder to give grace to those around them, the world would be better.” - Sydnie Murphy

A challenging and tragic home life and some tough years in the foster care system — often separated from her siblings — could have left Sydnie Murphy bitter and broken. Instead, the spirited single mom emanates grace, is often described by those who meet her as “a ray of sunshine,” and is determined to one day help kids who have aged out of the foster care system. Sydnie considers being a mom a privilege and her greatest accomplishment. She treasures time with her son Oscar, who is four.

Sydnie’s nominator painted such an incredible picture of Sydnie’s positivity and determination, and of the joy Sydnie and Oscar receive by simply spending time together, that we had to meet this family and grant them UBT’s first Magic Moment of the 2020 holiday season.

Emanating grace and goodness

This family was chosen for Sydnie's desire to improve herself while helping those around her. An advocate for the underprivileged and those without a voice, Sydnie raises money to go on mission trips, feeling that it’s important to focus on how we can help each other, regardless of the payoff, or even what we have to give.

A student at UNL, she ultimately wants to open a nonprofit focused on life skills and support for children who have aged out of the foster care system. Described by her supervisor as selfless and hardworking, she is the first to lend a hand or take on more responsibilities — and some of her earnings go to pay for Oscar’s preschool, so he can start kindergarten with a leg up.

Creating moments of joy

Sydnie is described as someone who doesn’t ask for, or expect, much of anything. In fact, if we asked her what she wanted, she would probably have a wish list to make someone else’s holiday brighter. This is why UBT and the Magic Moments team are honored to make some magical family fun for Sydnie and Oscar.

Even with her full schedule, Sydnie makes family time with Oscar a priority. Arts and crafts are a favorite hobby of the dynamic duo, so the two were presented with a Makit Takit craft box and a $50 gift card to Makit Takit Studio’s splatter room to craft some messy memories. The two are adept at making everyday moments really special, such as snacks and stories at bedtime, so they also received matching PJs. Oscar has been really into baths lately — with coronavirus running rampant, long soaks in the tub had to take the place of trips to the pool for much of 2020. So, a deluxe bath box, complete with a Spider-Man robe, was among Oscar’s gifts, along with clothes, shoes, preschool workbooks, and a Hot Wheels Mario Kart circuit track. Sydnie received new cookware, a water flosser, and an Apple charger, plus some incredible news: She was going to have wheels again! Sydnie hit a deer in November 2019 and hasn’t been able to get her car fixed yet. Eustis Body Shop and Magic Moments worked together to present Sydnie with a $500 gift certificate for car repairs. Happiest of holidays to you, Murphy family, from all of us at UBT.