With the arrival of a new year, I have contemplated what would I like to do better? I spoke with a coworker yesterday and she said, " I would like to be more generous". I could not agree more. I have all of my needs met. I often wish I had more set aside for retirement so I can travel the world and yes, that is something that I dream of. I wish I could be mortgage free! I wish I could come and go as often as I please . ( that is that gypsy in me that many of you know).
Yesterday I saw a family in my office that left me feeling such a huge burden. I have been taking care of them for 3 years. They are polite, compliant and sweet. Their life has been and is a struggle every day ( from my perspective). In light of HIPAA laws ( federal privacy laws), I certainly can not share details. He has very serious chronic medical disease and mental health issues. She is the rock of the family. She has worked at pizza hut for the last 3 years. Time and time again they have struggled to eat. She would bring the pizza hut leftovers home for the family.
A very traumatic and tragic thing happened with their 15 year old son in the last several months. I can not share the details. I can guarantee that if most of us experienced this we would not be able to carry on. In the aftermath she lost her job and is interviewing for new work. They are authentic, honest people who are living in poverty. Last year for a couple of months they were living in a motel. I am seriously terrified about the potential outcome for this family. It breaks my heart that so many families face homelessness. How can this happen in the USA?
Despite it all, they are kind, compassionate and always do what I ask them to do to improve their situation. When they left my office yesterday, I sat at my desk and sobbed. I have been doing this for 20 years but I have never been so struck by a situation where I thought , " how do you put one foot in front of the other?" I would be utterly paralyzed. In fact, I truly think if i faced what they deal with every day I would be 100% suicidal.
What she left me with is " I have always believed that things happen for a reason, I can not tell right now what that reason is but I believe it to be true".
I have decided to try to give to this family in any way that I can. Perhaps it crosses physician/patient boundaries. Perhaps it does. But I feel compelled to give to my brother. We are called to carry each other's burdens. I am not certain that I can truly call myself a Christian but I do believe in this basic tenant.
I have decided to sell raffle tickets for my very first painting. It holds a very special place in my heart. It is the painting that I painted as I worked my way through breast cancer treatment. It is about courage and being bold and brave. On my website this painting is listed at $750. I will be selling raffle tickets for it. The person who wins the raffle will win the original painting. All proceeds will go to this family. That they may have food, housing and legal support. Organization is not my strong point so suggestions would be welcome. I would recommend $25 for the price of a raffle ticket. If someone decides that they want to buy the original painting outright for $750, 100% of the proceeds will go to this family.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
I am profoundly grateful in advance for your participation. If you are interested in donating to this cause, please go to paypal.com and use the address staciabaker2012@gmail.com or contact me at staciabaker2012@gmail.com
Stacia
Yesterday I saw a family in my office that left me feeling such a huge burden. I have been taking care of them for 3 years. They are polite, compliant and sweet. Their life has been and is a struggle every day ( from my perspective). In light of HIPAA laws ( federal privacy laws), I certainly can not share details. He has very serious chronic medical disease and mental health issues. She is the rock of the family. She has worked at pizza hut for the last 3 years. Time and time again they have struggled to eat. She would bring the pizza hut leftovers home for the family.
A very traumatic and tragic thing happened with their 15 year old son in the last several months. I can not share the details. I can guarantee that if most of us experienced this we would not be able to carry on. In the aftermath she lost her job and is interviewing for new work. They are authentic, honest people who are living in poverty. Last year for a couple of months they were living in a motel. I am seriously terrified about the potential outcome for this family. It breaks my heart that so many families face homelessness. How can this happen in the USA?
Despite it all, they are kind, compassionate and always do what I ask them to do to improve their situation. When they left my office yesterday, I sat at my desk and sobbed. I have been doing this for 20 years but I have never been so struck by a situation where I thought , " how do you put one foot in front of the other?" I would be utterly paralyzed. In fact, I truly think if i faced what they deal with every day I would be 100% suicidal.
What she left me with is " I have always believed that things happen for a reason, I can not tell right now what that reason is but I believe it to be true".
I have decided to try to give to this family in any way that I can. Perhaps it crosses physician/patient boundaries. Perhaps it does. But I feel compelled to give to my brother. We are called to carry each other's burdens. I am not certain that I can truly call myself a Christian but I do believe in this basic tenant.
I have decided to sell raffle tickets for my very first painting. It holds a very special place in my heart. It is the painting that I painted as I worked my way through breast cancer treatment. It is about courage and being bold and brave. On my website this painting is listed at $750. I will be selling raffle tickets for it. The person who wins the raffle will win the original painting. All proceeds will go to this family. That they may have food, housing and legal support. Organization is not my strong point so suggestions would be welcome. I would recommend $25 for the price of a raffle ticket. If someone decides that they want to buy the original painting outright for $750, 100% of the proceeds will go to this family.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
I am profoundly grateful in advance for your participation. If you are interested in donating to this cause, please go to paypal.com and use the address staciabaker2012@gmail.com or contact me at staciabaker2012@gmail.com
Stacia
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