the kindness of strangers

What would you do if your child was sick and no one knew why?

What would you do if you had to take 6 weeks unpaid leave from work?

What would you do if you were given one day’s notice of eviction?

What would you do if all three events collided into one heartbreaking time in your life?

And what would you do if all of this happened while you were a single mom with no support?

This is the harsh reality one of my coworkers is facing right now.

Since early August, this courageous mom has helped her young daughter battle an unknown illness that has demanded two hospitalizations and some 15 different drug therapies, all to no avail. And she has shouldered this burden alone. Yesterday, after being at her daughter’s side for six weeks (exhausting what little PTO and vacation time she had saved), my coworker was notified that she was being evicted from her home…

In an effort to help offset some of the staggering medical bills and expenses, my company will be hosting a benefit lunch next Tuesday. As we’re a small staff and I know their needs are great, I wanted to extend the opportunity to anyone out there who might want to contribute a small donation to a fellow mama in need. If you’d like to participate either by donation or simply sending words of encouragement, the e-mail address helpamom2009@yahoo.com is ready and waiting (this address is tied to a PayPal account created for the family).

Here’s to the beauty and power and inspiration found in the kindness of strangers …

p.s. If you make a donation, please shoot me an e-mail at writess10@yahoo.com so that I can include your name in the card. I will close out the account next Tuesday and present the donations during the benefit lunch.