A Community of Caring

The last year or so of my life has been particularly challenging because my son made some choices that had pretty significant consequences. I have learned many things during the last 12-15 months, but the most important thing this past year has shown me is how tremendously we are loved and supported.

There have been so many gestures big and small, that have been made by family, friends, co-workers and even strangers, which have conveyed support and love. While I cannot capture everything that has been done for us, the following examples provide a glimpse into my life and the many blessings we have experienced because people are kind, loving, caring.

• A stranger in a parking lot, upon seeing me distressed and crying, approached to ask if he could help and then told me that he would be praying for us.
• One of my closest friends essentially put her life on hold and came to stand by my side and support me through the worst of times. She slept on the couch, she talked to me, she hugged me, she went through everything I was going through and shared all of the stress that came with it so that I would not have to go through it alone.
• A counselor that I met on a Wednesday called on Thursday just to check in to see how things were going. In that call, she provided encouragement and some extremely helpful information.
• A treasured friend sent flowers to me at work one day to brighten my day and let me know she was thinking of me.
• A few of my coworkers stepped in and picked up the slack to cover my desk when I had to be away from work for an extended period of time. They just took care of business so that I did not have to worry or even think about it.
• A public servant in a county office took the time to hear my story in complete detail and called me back with news that an error had been corrected. This was after I had talked to four or five people who seemed incapable of grasping the importance of the information I was sharing. This gentleman did not have to act or do anything, but he managed to connect the dots that needed connecting to resolve a huge problem.
• One of my favorite people and cherished friends provided a place for me to store a vehicle which wasn't running so that I did not have to think about it or deal with it when it was not a priority. She didn't ask for how long, she just said yes.
• Friends who are like family to us were gracious in understanding when we had to change holiday plans; they were willing and glad to rearrange for another time to be together.
• A dear friend has called me every week without fail to check in to see how things are going and to provide encouragement and support.
• My neighbors have been helpful and caring, from watching the house while I have been gone to bringing over holiday treats to calling to see how things are going; they have reminded me how lucky I am to live among such caring people.
• My two best friends have cried with me, laughed with me, hugged me, invited me out to do something fun, spent days with me doing things that were decidedly not fun, prayed for and with me (and Matt), and have embodied what it means to be loyal, supportive, and love unconditionally. They have seen me at my best and my worst and have not wavered.
• My family--Mom, Dad, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, auntie, nieces, and nephews--have connected with Matt and me in a variety of ways to let us know we are loved. I know I need only ask and they will do, provide, or be what we need.

There are more examples that I could provide of actions that other people have taken that have propped me up during this year, that have provided me strength to continue, that have provided encouragement that things would get better (and they have), that have shown acceptance of us with our warts and all, that have shown me clearly and strongly that we are loved. To all, I offer a humble thanks and appreciation for showing me that this big and crazy world is full of wonderful, loving, caring and kind people.