Mayan Prophecy: Came True
Today, our world, according to some interpretations, was
supposed to end. I had to make a metaphorical appointment for 12/22/12 with a
client who truly was concerned it may occur in order to allay her fears. We
held our Christmas party last eve, a relaxed and subdued passing of time with
people who I am blessed enough to work with, our diverse personalities melding
into a mutually supportive group who fight as quickly for one another as for
themselves. And during this party we heard
a deafening news, that over a hundred or more kids were definitely not having
much, if any Christmas. Toys for Tots had literally run out of toys. Across the room, Brooke Byers, who has worked
this event with her mother, Joyce Davenport for years, bobbed her foot,
periodically looking lost in thought, her mind clearly preoccupied with the
dilemma they faced. Each year there is
that last minute “hold your breath, are we gonna have enough” stress ending
with a final sigh of relief when the last caregiver of children arrives, signs,
and walks away with hope and care in a bag.
And this year, they already knew that ending was fading.
I sat at Hamburger Inn, having just ordered comfort food
from a hometown classic to take to Brooke and her mother. The room filled with
familiarity and connection, whether strangers or friends. A neighbor of mine,
who stopped in for take out, offered her cash as I mentioned who and why I was
heading over with comfort food. She went
on to suggest that maybe her group should connect with them for next year and
better coordinate Santa efforts. Walking out, I felt that little bit of “we, as
a species, are in this together” rise in my heart.
I had no idea the
simple miracle of human care would soon emerge.
Arriving, I found Brooke and her mother comparing notes and
discussing earnestly where and how they might be able to find enough help to
make up for recession-hit- donations. In the end, we all have been hurt, from
the top company to the one person family hoping food stamps don’t get cut, if
they are lucky to get those. But
realizing over a hundred plus families weren’t going to have anything possibly,
that there were some kids that would learn a new story about Christmas, or
maybe would have an old one reinforced; Santa doesn’t visit every child. My
throat hurt. But the looks on these two women’s faces showed the focus, stress,
hope, and strain of being an advocate.
Santa’s elves aren’t
always in the North Pole.
Brooke’s phone rang; glancing down before she watched a
mother walk up.
“Get that. I need to greet this person”. I took her phone,
barely hearing her words of “your name is an S, ok, we are hoping to have more
gifts tomorrow, so I will need you to check back with me”
“Tell Brooke we just got $3,000 from…” my mouth dropped.
“Hang on, she needs to hear this” I stopped Brooke, handing
her the phone, almost pushing it at her.
I watched her face, shifting from slight aching at having to
turn a family away, to a slowly optimistic smile and deep sigh.
“Ma’am, we will have
your toys tomorrow.” She grinned as the woman walked away, a lighter pace in
her walk.
In the next eight minutes, two more calls came through,
several thousand dollars raised by two of her friends.
Angels.
Brooke’s mother walked out, already writing down ideas of
how to find more toys, her voice slightly mumbled as she sourced out best way
to make a miracle happen.
Brooke walked over to her mom, “we got enough, I am going to
get the toys…” and then shared the news that average everyday humans reached
out and simply helped one another.
Becoming a miracle.
The Mayan prophecy has been rumored to have meant, for some,
the end of our world. Maybe this is true, not the end of the world existing but
an ending of disharmony within and among ourselves and with the planet, and all
the varied inhabitants. Focused on indicating a better balance and more
connection of the expressions of this element we call life.
For all who have given to help in any form to any and all
forms of hope in our community and the world beyond, thank you.
May this year we be able to thrive, slow down, find peace,
develop balance, realize hope, feel safe, challenge ourselves and our children to
make the world a better place, and start
with ourselves.
Happy Holidays
