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Despite everything…
By Laurie | August 30, 2010
Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.
I have always loved that quote by Anne Frank. After spending two entire days sitting in front of Walmart with my best friend fundraising for breast cancer, it is even more ingrained in my head and heart.
I am amazed by the generosity of strangers. Amazed. I realize that not everyone is willing or would want to give money to two sweaty and sunburned women sitting at a folding table decorated in pink and plastic ducks. Even though we wore matching shirts, we didn’t exactly look official. I am inspired by the willingness of others to put trust in us. I don’t think I will ever stop appreciating the collective good that is out there in the world. I am so thankful that my participation in these events has given that gift to me.
We meet and talk to a lot of people. Women who were just diagnosed. Daughters who are missing their mothers, grandmothers, and aunts. Sons who aren’t afraid to wear a pink bracelet proudly. Husbands who have lost their wives. Nikki says those are the hardest ones for her. The men? They silently drop money into the bucket and give us a thumbs up or simply say “thank-you for doing this,” and continue on their way. Some will add a, “I lost my wife __ years ago.” We see a lot of pain.
In 2008 when we were packing up our garage sale for the day, an older man pulled up and parked along the curb. He walked over to us and told us about losing his wife. He said he didn’t have any cash and that he was going through a hard time, but that he wanted to do something to thank us for what we were doing. He ran back to his car and came back with a package of Pepperidge Farm cookies in a pink bag. He said he had just gone grocery shopping, and that he tries to buy products like that to support the cause and remember her. He insisted that we take them. I am pretty sure I will never forget that. This disease destroys so many lives.
Today a woman and her daughter approached the table. The mother told us that her daughter wanted to donate a few dollars of her own money. She talked to us for a few minutes about some friends and family members of hers who have gone through breast cancer, and asked us about why we were doing it. Then she looked at her daughter, and she said that someday she would be taking our places at the table. Nikki quickly told her that no, there would be no need for that because there will be a cure by then. She told the woman about her own daughter, and that making sure she doesn’t have to go through it is such a big part of why she is doing it too. The woman said she had not thought about it in that way, and said that she was right. I am so proud to be her friend.
Oh, and in my book? The People of Walmart are A-Okay.
Topics: 3 Day, Friends | 3 Comments »
What a touching post! Doing things like that restores my faith in humanity, too. I’ll never forget the little girls that donating their own money at my fundraising table. They didn’t want any of the goodies I had available; they just wanted to help. Amazing.
Posted by: Janine @ Athena's ArmouryAmen! Proud to be your friend too, all the time
<3 you!
Posted by: NikkiThe generosity of others is overwhelming and heartwarming-as is your post.
I do believe there is good in everyone.
Thanks you for sharing.
Posted by: Heidi