The past week, in Yes, Virginia terms, has been a lot. So many stories over so many years have stopped me in my tracks, opened my eyes, reopened my eyes, brought me to tears. But the one last week - the mother with cancer and her little girl has just left me gutted. I know from your responses it hit hard with so many of you, too.
With your help, financial aid is on the way. Money never fixes everything, but it will be able to help with acute needs right now and in the weeks ahead. Your donations have insured the little girl will be enjoying special items of her favorite The Descendants character - Mal. These gifts will be part of the fleeting time she will have to spend with her mother.
While this may seem odd, I want to show you the two items that were delivered to the mom today. I had mentioned that when our DGMS family member Jackie was losing her battle with cancer, that in addition to filling her last wish to give gifts to her tiny grandkids, we provided the softest blanket I could find to help comfort her. She loved it. So I purchased this one for this mom.
Soft, white, able to soothe everywhere it touches.
The other item the friend coordinating this assistance asked about was the possibility of stuffed animal for her to hold. That part has had me staring into space a lot for days. Yes, I found this guy and she now has him to cuddle. (I have been assured he is "like a soft marshmallow.") But I keep getting caught up on the fact that while buying stuffed animals is not new to the Yes, Virginia effort, they have always been for children. A stuffed animal is a symbol of safety, comfort, security. Realizing that it actually transcends age, that we all hunger for safety, comfort, security when we are scared - well, my heart breaks for her. My hope is that he helps soften the time she has left, and eventually will be with her daughter to comfort her and remind her of her mom.
Again, this one has been hard. I am always honored to be allowed into people's worst moments, but this is a nightmare with no happy ending coming. I am profoundly grateful to you all for your help in reaching out while we can.
Last night, hunger was again brought home to me, in all its meanings. Snuggled up with Rudy on the couch, my phone dinged and I checked the message. With this mom's permission I can share a bit here. It began like this...
Hi. If there is room for us, we could really use food. But please only as a last resort. We won't starve. Help others who need it more. I was doing really good this summer. Its only been since winter came that I find it hard to break even. Utilities and heat are increased now and with that, its back to paycheck to paycheck. Food is tight.
This is not a new refrain. When I tell you the requests for food assistance are constant, I am not exaggerating. But they always hit hard. I take for granted being able to shop and not worry about the total. I am guilty of standing in front of a full fridge and thinking "there is nothing to eat." The reality is there is nothing that I am craving at the moment. Privilege.
Her message continued...
I'm trying not to get down on myself and I don't even want to send this to you. Its disheartening. Ok. Stopping and resetting again. Trying to stay composed and not lose it. I have 14 dollars in my bank account until the 15th. And I think service fees will wipe that out soon.
This is the reality of our world right now. Through no fault of their own, far too many have been thrown into financial peril.
Okay I'm going to send this now and stop stalling. I know there isn't any judgment.
No, there is no judgement. There is no embarrassment to be found in my inbox. Only the deep desire to stretch our Yes, Virginia dollars as far as we possibly can, feeding the bodies and spirits of as many as we can.
Through the magic of technology we were able to get food money to her immediately and hopefully some better rest last night. (Again, I know money does not fix every problem, but without money, none of us can eat. So in this respect, money does fix some things. If even temporarily.)
This is what you do. I get thanks yous all the time, but the reality is I am just a conduit for your generosity, your trust, your desire to make this world a better place. I know we are not some huge Make-A-Wish-Salvation-Army-Toys-For-Tots endeavor; that we were crowdfunding before it was called crowdfunding; that the needs we touch are a not even a drop in the bucket, more like mist over the bucket, but the lives we touch are real, the changes you effect are real. The hope you provide is REAL.
We are coming into the homestretch for our 12th year of giving here at DGMS. There are more mouths to feed, bodies to clothe, smiles to make, so if you can donate, you know the drill. Paypal>Send Money>lsharp03@aol.com
Thank you again for feeding their spirits. And mine. I love you all.
~ Linda
Can’t post on FB, so I will post here...this made me bawl like a baby...I do t have much thus week, but I can spare a little...it’s on its way. I love you so much Linda, you are an angel on earth.
Posted by: Kathryn J Rhinehart | Friday, December 11, 2020 at 08:51 AM