By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
The letter carrier who delivers mail to Payge Davie’s house in Dayton has been busy lately after a request for birthday cards for the 18-year-old was made by Davie’s mom, Nancy, through an article on Bluebonnet News.
Her 18th birthday on Jan. 18 was cause for celebration for the Davie family, who nearly lost Payge at the age of 12 when she was struck by a car while running to catch her school bus. Nancy made the birthday card request so that Payge would feel special and loved, and Bluebonnet News readers responded in overwhelming numbers.
At last count Monday morning, Jan. 21, 191 cards had arrived for Payge. A few were hand-delivered by Dayton police and firefighters, and Liberty County EMS, but most came the old-fashioned way through the U.S. Postal Service.
Every day for the past week, Payge has eagerly anticipated the mail delivery as cards streamed in from all over the country, including New Mexico, Florida, Alabama, Minnesota and all parts of Texas.
Most cards came with hand-written notes encouraging Payge as she continues to recover from the accident.
“They’ve told her she is an inspiration and blessing to them,” her mom said.
Many of the envelopes included McDonald’s gift cards, which Payge mentioned in the previous article is her favorite restaurant. Others contained movie cards, candy and cash.
“Dayton Police Department and the new police chief [Robert Vine], and Dayton Fire Department came to see her at our house. That was a special treat for her,” Nancy said. “When I picked her up Friday at school, we came home to find Liberty County EMS and the City of Liberty had left cards for her in the door.”
The arrival of cards has given her something to look forward to every day, Payge said.
“It’s so amazing. I can’t put it into words what it has meant to me,” she said. “It’s like meeting new friends every day.”
One of the cards she received came from a young girl who had been through similar circumstances.
“She got hit by a car, too,” Payge said. “I am planning to keep in touch with everybody. They can also keep up with me on my Prayers for Payge Facebook page.”
When asked if she wanted to say anything to those who sent cards and letters, Nancy said, “Thank you so much for making Payge’s birthday special. I didn’t expect such a huge turnout. You all have no idea what it meant to her or what it means to us. She can’t do the normal birthday stuff that 18-year-olds get to do, so it was awesome getting to see this.”
Anyone wishing to send Payge a card can mail it to: Payge Davie, 37 CR 6052, Dayton, Texas 77535.
Dayton firefighters paid a visit to Payge Davie to wish her a happy birthday. Pictured with her are Capt. Bradley Templeton, Lt. Jaime Villegas, fireman Drake Lerma, Capt. Murphy Green Jr. and fireman Dalton Black. 
Liberty Tax Service posted a Happy Birthday message for Payge Davie in her front yard. 
Payge Davie shows some of the candy she received along with her birthday cards. 