Remembering Mama Today

Thinking back over my life, I had the best Christian mother that a child could ever dream of having.....what a blessing. My mother taught me so many life lessons. One, was unconditionally loving every one. She loved to help people less fortunate. She taught school so her biggest ministry was children. Poor children. Back in the day......children would come to school dirty, she would give them a bath, children had lice in their hair, she would wash their hair and treat them for lice. Teachers now could not dream of doing such things but back in those days, it was allowed. She would gather clothes for them. She loved them all and they felt her love. At the time, I did not get it, what was all the big fuss about with all these children and I didn't care much for sharing her around, after all she was mine.
Mama had the ability of making everyone feel that they where the special one. I remember when mama died that one of the teachers she taught with at school said he was disappointed to hear that other people felt the same as him, "that they were the special one", he thought he was unique. She had the ability to make everyone feel special.
Mama was known for her corny jokes, her laugh and her funny sense of humor. But most of all, she was known for her Birthday Songs. She remembered everyone on their birthdays. She remembered everyone at church, relatives and friends with a birthday song. At her funeral, the minister asked if you where remembered by Mary on your birthday raise your hand. Three fourths of the people there raised their hands. She was amazing.
She was a lover of God, a wonderful Christian example of kindness, faith, obedience,dedication, dependability, patience and love.
For those of you who do not know, I lost my mother tragically 4 years ago. She was in great health, life was good and she was taking water aerobics at the YMCA 3 times a week. One Wednesday she was pulling out of the YMCA in Columbia and pulled out in front of an ambulance. She was life flighted to Vanderbilt. I was in Nashville showing houses and my Aunt Nellie Rummage called me and said your mom has been in an accident, they are life flighting her to Vandy. What? was this a bad dream, no this could not be my sweet mother, this must be a mistake. I called Steve, Adam and Allison. The whole family was called in and we all where there with her. All my brothers, aunts, uncles everyone was gathered with her. She knew we where all there. My daughter Allison spoke that day and said Grandmother is leaving and going to a better place. She is happy and I think she would want us to sing for her. So we all gathered in a circle (about 20 of us) and we sung some of her favorite spiritual songs. She left us, feeling all of our love. The Doctors and nurses stood there watching us, they were amazed and said they had never seen a family like our family.
When she left me I cannot explain the pain, the emptiness that I felt. I knew she was in a better place but I was selfish, I did not want to give that precious woman up. How would I survive without her love, her support. I wish I could tell you that I was really strong and that I did not let it drag me down but it did. For two years, I could not seem to shake the deep depression. I knew mama would not want me to be mourning over her but I was..........The big turn around in my life was when my minister Russ announced that our church was building our first Habitat house. He asked for Volunteers to be in charge over the project. Steve and I were new members there and really did not know anybody at church but we signed up. Steve signed up to be Co-builder in charge and I signed up to be the Volunteer Coordinator. We got promoted for the jobs. Yay. Whoa.... what have I done? I have never been in charge over such a huge project before, I thought what have I done and can I possibly pull this off and get it done? I thought yes I can! I threw myself into the project and it was the best thing that ever happen to me. It was the most rewarding job, I was very busy recruiting & coordinating the work. It brought me out of my two year depression~helping others. I loved it. My volunteering and my focus on other people and not myself.
After that project was over, Chris (our worship leader) called me. He said I was at McDonald's today and ran into another member from MH. I said Suzy, what you doing today. She said I am helping a friend that is having a hard time, her roof is leaking, carpet needs taking up and a lot of work to be done. Chris said I am not busy today, I will go help you. Then Chris called me and asked me if I thought I might gather up some help for this woman. I talked to our minister Russ and he asked me to go look at the house and see what it needed. I went to see her and my heart sunk. She needed help and she needed hope. Long story short, with Russ' help and our church's help we repaired this lady's house to make it dry and safe. We showed pictures of the house to our church, her roof was leaking and at the end of church we raised $3000 that day to repair her house. We finished her house, we loved it and decided we wanted to do another one and this is how I got started in "People Helping People Together." I would say that I do this ministry in memory of my mom and dad. Both my parents loved to help people. My dad's motto was"Help Someone Today, help the friendless."
So with love, I remember my precious mama on this mother's day. To the woman that made me what I am today, that loved me unconditionally, always loving and giving to others. Happy Mother's Day.

"Minga"

Before working with PHPT, I have to admit that I was ignorant as to the conditions of our neighbors living around us. Our neighbors are cold in the winter; some have no heat or very little heat. Some neighbors have leaks in their roofs. When it rains they are catching buckets full of water. Some neighbors are single parents working two jobs and trying to help their children get through college. Some neighbors do not have vehicles to drive to work. I say these people are all of our neighbors no matter what area of town we live. They need a little help from us to make their lives be forever changed for the good.
People Helping People Together is calling for a “Minga.” You say, what is a “Minga?” A Minga is a call to action. As the Amish have barn raising's so is a Minga in places such as the Ecuador. The story is told by Craig and Marc Kielburger "Me to We." They where in the Ecuador building a school. The mountain passes where treacherous and the roads where winding from high peaks to valleys. They where on a time schedule to be completed with the school. Plane tickets where bought and the construction of the school was way behind. Craig and Marc went to see the village chief, the oldest woman in the community. They told her their problem and were not sure she understood. But she said, “No problem, I will call a Minga.” They had puzzled faces but she did not notice. The chief took a few steps out the door and stopped. Suddenly she started screaming to the top of her lungs, “Tomorrow……their will be a Minga.” They did not know what they meant and tried to mask their disappointed faces. The next day, hundreds of people came to help finish the school. It was amazing. They left crops in their fields, their jobs and woman carrying babies on their backs. They had come to build the school. They asked for nothing in return and even bought food. After taking part in a lively celebration to inaugurate the completion of the school, they left as quietly as they came. They did not expect anything in return. That was a Minga.
We have as many as 200 houses in Eastside that need repair.
We need Churches, Businesses and organizations to help turn Columbia around.
We need sponsors and volunteers to meet the challenge at hand. This is a call for Columbia to unite to the cause by helping those in need who are our neighbors. If each of us say “We can and we will”, this community will transform before our eyes. Crime rate will start to diminish and families will feel safe to walk in their neighborhoods again. When people in need are helped, their faith in God, people and this country will increase and we will make a difference. Together we can make a difference. Let’s make our mind to do it now!
Today I received in the mail a Daily Herald Newspaper Clipping dated January 23, 2008. The headline, “Forgotten neighborhood: Everyone has a stake in East Columbia. Written by Delilah Carden-Orr, Columbia.
Delilah talked about living in Eastside community that she felt disconnected from the town which she was born. She spoke of how it felt to be black American in the 60’s and 70’s. The barriers she experienced during integration, reminded her of now. Her neighborhood was the last to get indoor plumbing. No sidewalks and barely curbs. Streets less than desirable. Delilah said, “Imagine waking up on first weekend in April-Mule Day and that particular day being fenced in (barriers up) fenced in so to speak on Eastside. If emergency arose in Eastside, “How would we get help with us barricaded inside.” Delilah spoke of the strong desire to be treated with respect and dignity and wanting her neighborhood back. Regardless of where you live, you still are a part of this town. She dreams of sidewalks, signs posted caution, children playing, clean streets. Delilah states,” Open your eyes and see what is going on. No, I’m not afraid to live where I do, it is home. All I am asking is “Can we get some beautification.” I want to walk my grandchildren down the street on a sidewalk. If I step in the street, will there be a curb there for me?” When I get to 8th St. I want to see a sign that says, Slow: children at play. She wants to see speed limit signs.
Delilah states, “ Do not give up on Columbia, Let’s pull together and make this a better place to live. Everyone deserves a chance. Why? Because God says so.”
PHPT is calling for a Minga. Let us see what a difference that every church, club and business could make, repairing one house at a time. I challenge Columbia to a “Minga”.

A New Beginning

Recently on a Sunday morning, I was awakening by talk radio. The announcer was interviewing a man by the name of Craig Kielburger. I was intrigued by the story that I heard. He said, “Imagine waking up every morning believing that your actions can make a significant change in the world. I listened on as he told the story of when he was 12 years old his life was changed in an instant. Craig was reading the paper one morning and the headlines where “Battled Child Laborers, Boy 12 Murdered”. The 12 yr. old child whom was sold into slavery was murdered. Craig said he was full of questions after reading the article, who would sell their child into slavery and who chains a child to a carpet loom? Craig was enraged and he began going to the library to research about child labor and child slavery. He left the library very angry. He could not understand why no one was doing anything about this dreadful crime against innocent children. He began talking to his older brother Marc and asked “What can we do, how can we help?” Craig said he knew that young people could make a difference in something they where passionate about and he asked himself “Why not me?” He took the crumpled up newspaper article everywhere around with him. One day he asked his teacher if he could speak to the class. Craig shared what he knew about child labor in Iqbal and their plight in life. He passed out copies of the newspaper articles and asked for volunteers to help fight for children’s rights. Eleven hands shot up and Free the Children was born. Craig and his brother Marc started out in their parent’s house and practically took it over with Free the Children. Today it is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education. A million youth serve more than 45 countries, built more than 450 schools and provide education for more than 40,000 children daily. The list goes on and on. The organization has a track record of success, with three nominations for Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. Its work has been featured on CNN, 60 minutes and many large newspapers.
Craig also told the touching story of meeting Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta. Fame and fortune was never her ambition. Mother Teresa said” We cannot do great things in this world but we can do small things with great love.”
I could not believe the story that I just heard.......Then the announcer said that the brothers had a book “Me to We.” I had to have the book. I got online and ordered it right away.
The book talks about finding meaning in a material world. Wow. I thought to myself after reading this book, IF this small child can make a difference in the world, so can I!!!!!
So my story with People Helping People Together begins......
Last year my minister, Russ Adcox spoke and prayed for our church to do something “Big” in our community. Several of my friends had visions of making the world a better place. One by one these people found each other and People Helping People Together evolved. Suzy Pruitt and Christopher Taylor started working on a family’s house that was in need of new roof, siding and gutters. Our minister, Russ Adcox called me and asked me if I could lend some help on getting some volunteers and coordinate the work. Daryl Compton a local electrician helped us on this house. While we where at the house, Daryl drew out a plan. A vision. Transforming our community by helping people with repairs on their houses. I took the plan to Russ and said, Daryl has a great idea and shared the plan with him. Jim Kitchen also had a vision about changing East side and he went to see Russ and shared his plan. Connie Hardin had a vision five years ago about helping people on the Eastside and she envisioned “change.“ Then Russ introduced me to Mike Marks. He works with Southern Middle Tennessee Development District. Mike works with emergency grants for the elderly people. The grants are for home repairs. Wow. With the help of all my friends, one thing led to another and so my involvement evolved and started the beginning of “People Helping People Together”. I thought to myself “ I can help make a difference one house at a time.” We went and visited our first house in October 2008. We officially began repairs on in March of 2009.
So here I am, a REALTOR volunteering with People Helping People Together in Columbia, TN. We are now starting on houses eight, nine and ten. We are presently targeting the Eastside of Columbia. We have partnered with Southern Middle Tennessee Development and have helped elderly people (over sixty) apply for emergency grants. So far we have 12 people that have qualified for grants. The grants go up to as much as $15,000. A sponsor can supply up to 1/3 of funds or do in kind labor.
Our mission with People Helping People Together is to keep people warm, safe and dry. Our ministry started at Maury Hills but now we have branched out to the community and other churches are joining our forces. St. Peter’s Episcopal, First United Methodist, New Harvest Family Church and First Presbyterian. We now have officers, Jan Wright President, Jim Kitchen, Vice-President, Angel Millet - Secretary, Jim Webb-Treasurer. Our board members are Connie Hardin, Sarah Thompson, Aubrey Flagg, Mike Marks, Daryl Compton, Carl McCullen,Mike Bennett, Steve Wright and Alex Domkowski. PHPT has by-laws in place.
We have businesses, government, churches and civic groups working together. First Farmer’s and Merchants’ Bank have become our first business sponsors. The bank contributed $5500 last August 2009. In February, they gave us another contribution of $30,000. Partnering with South Central Tennessee Development District, this $30,000 in affect becomes $90,000. This contribution will help us repair 10 houses this year. Contributors include: First Farmer’s Bank and Southern Tennessee Development District (with the grants), the American Legion installs American Flag on the houses, Connie Hardin, Kile Patrick & Friends present homeowner with a porch swing, Ace Hardware donates mailbox, Shapard’s Lumber donates mailbox post, Kile Patrick installs mailbox posts. Adopting Church or Civic groups does the finishing touches on completing the home and yard. When finished, the adopters present the homeowners’ a Bible. Glenna and Tommy Winters from Columbia State Community College designed and maintains website. Our website address is: http://www.phptn.org/.