First off, I’d like to say thanks to all those who were able to make it out to the Memorial last weekend! We all had a great time, some good laughs and some good tears. And that’s really what it was supposed to be all about. Celebrating the wonderful woman my mother was – pure and simple!
Unfortunately what seemed to be a perfect weekend in many respects came to a not-so-perfect end for many folks living in and around the greater Austin area. I know wildfires have impacted this great state throughout the summer. But Sunday, September 4th the fires got too close for comfort for many. I was driving toward Bastrop on that Sunday afternoon and watching, with many other motorists, as the horrific picture unfolded. The beautiful pine forests of Bastrop going up in smoke. The sky was black and the wind was doing its best to spread the smoke and fire far and wide. It was one of the most horrific things I’ve seen and the closest to a natural disaster-in-progress I’ve ever been.
The following days brought news of several friends and co-workers that had lost everything they owned. I am proud to say that I work for an agency that shines brightest in the darkest of times by coming through for one another like an extended family. The philanthropic out-pouring from co-workers trying to help those affected by the fires has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Suddenly there were so many with nothing that needed help, needed homes, needed stuff, and most importantly needed hope.
Somewhere in the dim recesses of my mind a light bulb clicked on. Stuff? Hope? I have stuff! I have lots of stuff!! Could my stuff really fuel someone’s hope?! And then it hit me. Not my stuff…Mom’s stuff. Of course if she were here she’d argue that the 10x15 storage unit is full of “my stuff now” but…How perfectly fitting that the woman who, monetarily speaking of course, always had so little but yet always gave so much continues to give after her departure from this physical world? I know this might seem silly to some to take it to this level but it really moved me! I was delighted to be the instrument through which her stuff gave other people hope!
And in the process of going through the “stuff” I found myself moving just a little further through the grieving process. Letting go of physical stuff helped me let go of mental stuff. The 10x15 is not empty, nor is the space in my mind where my “mental stuff” regarding my mother’s death resides. But it’s a little less cluttered. Still a long journey ahead but progress was made through an act of kindness and compassion. Proving that undoubtedly, though tragedy and loss may fall upon each of our lives, a helping hand – be it from within or without – will be there to help us rise from the ashes.
What a loving testament to your mom, allowing her "stuff" to bring light to another who has lost everything. Luci girl, I know she would be proud!
ReplyDeleteYour mama would be proud and probably would have offered her stuff too, were she still here. Yeah, it's just stuff, but when you don't have anything left, stuff can be pretty important. I found that trying to squeeze all my "stuff" into a smaller house was very painful, but as soon as I learned that someone else needed it more, I couldn't get it in the car fast enough. As I prepared to make a "GoBag" in the event that we too might be evacuated, I looked through the house trying to decide what I couldn't live without, and I took surprisingly little, though I had considered my house filled with things I could not part with. It's all a matter of perspective. Debra understood that. You did good and it did you good. It's all good.
ReplyDeleteThat is just one more way that Mom "shines" through you, Luci.
ReplyDeleteI loved her not only because she was a wonderful, beautiful, generous and loving woman, though those are just a few of her great qualities. I loved/appreciated her because with out her there never would have been you. Mom is going to be missed, but all they have to do is look at you to see her finest work. I am so proud of you. I love and miss you!!!