 |
Retirement Editor's Welcome
The Bookmarks of Hope
By Greg Phillips, Empty Nest & Retirement Editor
Some years ago, in the fall of 2006 to be exact, I read a story that absolutely grabbed me. I can’t describe the feeling of being ‘grabbed’ by something you read about, but I can tell you that my reaction was immediate and of heartfelt urgency. A young girl, 12 at the time, was going through chemo treatment for leukemia at Children’s Hospital in the lower 48, a great distance from her home, familiar surroundings and the friends she knew. Thousands of lonely and scary miles from her life in Alaska.
Now, the unique thing is that we weren’t even living in Alaska at this point. We were actually in the process of relocating there, from our cabin high in the Sierra-Nevada mountains of California. Part of this process for us, was that we received the local paper 3 times a week, from the small community we were moving to. I remember that upon reading her story, two things went through my mind. First, was that our son was turning 16 that month and the thought of, “oh my God this could be my child” was very present. Memory serves me correct, that the other, was the heart melting smile of hers from her picture in the paper, and knowing that this had to be one of the most daunting and indescribable moments such a young person should never have to endure.
As I read on, there were two people in her community that were named. A friend of the family trying to drum up community support, and another, a local community figure that was donating proceeds from book sales at his book store, to a fund set up for her at the local branch of Wells Fargo. I was inspired by the outreach of support, and instantly knew I wanted to do something. My first thought: Donate cash to the fund set up at the bank. My second thought: We’re about to undergo the sale of one home while simultaneously purchasing a home in Alaska. Move across 2 states, another country and an ocean to get there, and starting at $0.00 income when we land. “Cripes, man!” “We can’t afford sending cash“…just wasn’t an option. This is when another more resourceful thought came to mind.
Being an artist, a potter, dabbling in gemstones and native American beading with seed beads, I decided to contact the bookstore owner, and convince him in letting me donate and send a dozen or so beaded gemstone bookmarks to him, with the sales of such going directly to her Wells Fargo fund. Original thought was some of my pottery, but shipping costs made that idea obscenely difficult. Besides… bookmarks in a bookstore…a no brainer! Coincidentally, I was making and selling these unique bookmarks in local shops in the mountains where we were and they seemed to sell like hotcakes. Thankfully, he agreed, and I went to work for the next few nights, intricately spinning out bookmarks. After they were sent off, I decided to make one especially for her personally. Just a little something to let her know there were people praying for her and hopefully bring her some comfort. Boxed with a hand painted water color ‘get well’ card my wife had made for her, I got the room number and address to the hospital she was in and sent our small care package, with the hopes it would bring a little brightness into her world!
I never really knew for sure if she even got our package. But 2 weeks later, I did get an email that the bookstore had auctioned off a couple of my bookmarks, at a fundraising dinner being held for her, for $200, to be put directly into her fund. The rest of the bookmarks eventually sold in the bookstore…sales going into her fund. My urgent act of goodness succeeded! And I would never to this day forget that mission of support, or that smile of hers.
Months later, we relocated …feet on the ground and running, we went to work reconstructing our lives in a new land. Through the coming years we would make friends, establish ties and rebuild new lives for ourselves. From time to time throughout the years, this girl would go through my mind…I never forgot her name or what it stood for to me. It pains me to say this, but I wondered if she had even survived that horrible ordeal. Thinking back on it now, maybe that was the reason I never tried to find out. I was afraid to know.
Two weeks ago, one night while sitting on the couch watching TV with my wife, this girl crossed my mind, yet once again. For some reason on this night, it dawned on me that a girl who had worked for my wife this past summer, whom we both still had contact with, goes to the same high school that she would have gone to and was what I figured from memory, close to the same age. I almost didn’t send the text…not sure if I wanted to know or just leave well enough alone. But I did, and so came back the text of shock.
The next night, almost completely unbelievable to me, not only that it was happening so fast much less it was just happening at all…I had the privilege of actually speaking on the phone to Ericka, the girl whose smile melted my heart, whose story touched me so many years ago. The girl that so courageously beat that which tried to bring her down! She is a survivor!
I can’t adequately describe the warm fuzzies that went through me to actually hear her voice! What I had done back in 2006 was selfless act. Never did I think nor expect that I would one day actually be so happy to hear someone’s voice! We arranged to meet each other, ironically…of all days, on Valentines Day. My wife and I had an absolute wonderful evening with her that night. I being the fortunate one. First time in my life I had two beautiful young ladies for a Valentines date…at the same time! It indeed was a very special evening! One thing that I brought home that night, is that I feel as if a circle was made complete, and that a friendship was born.
This fall, she will start her first year of pre-med schooling to become an Oncologist. We were so impressed to hear of her career path and goals! Most especially when one considers the relevance of such a choice! We are proud of her and the decisions she has made for her life, and her motivation to see through her goals. To know she is very much healthy, successful, and enjoying her life is priceless! To be a small and simple part of it, is an honor.
And, turns out, she did in fact get our gift while she was in the hospital and still uses that bookmark I made for her, even today. She mentioned that she remembers how unbelievable it was to her that a couple from California that didn’t even know her, would do such a kind thing for a complete stranger! Well, Ericka, I guess my response is simply this: Maybe there never really are ‘strangers’ in our lives in our times of need. Only caring people...a gift...that God has brought to us. Having had this experience is a blessing to me. One that I am very thankful for and will hold close forever! <3 ;-)
|