Deep Gratitude to Those Who Give

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A few weeks ago I did something I’ve never done before. I put a call out to those I know, and some I don’t know, for money. Spending our elder years working for others is something I have come to believe is a moral obligation. But for some, this work comes at a time when our financial situation takes a deep nose dive. This is the case with me.

As I was working out how to do the next phase of work on the southern border, a new friend of mine said, “Ask for help. There are people out there who want to help but can’t go in person. Ask them.” What? Ask people for money? That just did not sit right with me at all. As days passed and my financial need became apparent I swallowed my pride and did as she suggested. I put out an email and a post on social media. It explained the upcoming work at the border and the need for help to get there. I pressed send.

That’s when the miracles began. Almost immediately my inbox began to ding. Emails from friends and family began to arrive. And here’s the kicker. They were thanking me! So while I sat here wanting, needing to thank them for their unbelievable generosity, they were thanking me. With that my PayPal and Venmo began to chime as well. Donations were coming in electronically. And several were from people I didn’t recognize.

The notes were similar, “Thank you for doing what I can’t.” “Please take this because it helps me feel better. I can’t go but want to help so I’m glad to help you go.” “This issue is heavy on my heart. I haven’t known what to do until I saw your post. Now I do. Thank you and be safe.” “Bless you.” That last one got to me. No one ever “blessed me” outside of confession before!

I thought about all the GoFundMe accts I’ve given to in the past. Runathons, bikeathons, family members who were sick, school trips for kids overseas, education for girls, firefighters medical needs…the list goes on and on. But this didn’t feel the same to me. I learned how wrong I was.

So I’d just like to take a minute and say, “Thank you. Thank you to those who gave. Thank you for having faith in my work. Thank you.” There are now 9 of us going together to the border community of Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, Mexico. We are going to help those who have been there helping provide aid to the asylum seekers. They have been there helping for many months. It has become clear to me how vital this financial support is. What would we do without the support of those who “can’t go”? I really don’t think we could continue this work. So thank you to those who can’t go but who aid those who can.

Gracias,

Mary(ellen)