Thursday, August 23, 2012

Helping Another Person: A Tale of a Beautiful Experience

On Monday, I received a message from BellasBNS Founder, Rocco.  Kelly, an artisan that many of us know, had suffered a tragedy in her family.  Her son was working on an oil rig in North Dakota.  There was an explosion, and he was badly burned.  She lives in Utah and had to get to Minneapolis, which is where the burn unit is that they had air lifted him too.  She absolutely needed to get to her son, but money was tight.  Enter Annie, Wanda, and Chaya.

Annie, Wanda, and Chaya are the three phenomenal women who came together to organize a benefit BNR for Kelly to help with the expense of getting to Minnesota.  Rocco had sent me a message earlier in the day asking if I had heard about this yet.  I had not, but was instantly worried about Kelly and her son.  Unfortunately, I am flat broke, so I had no money to donate or buy into the BNR.  I faved the board so it would appear in my activity feed.  I also posted the link to every social media site I have access to, and put it on a couple of blogs that I post on.  It was the most I could do, until I received another message from Rocco.

Wanda, Annie, and Chaya could only stay open until the early afternoon because they didn't have anyone to curate the board after that.  They had several sales and had done a fantastic job, but Rocco felt the board should continue and I agreed.  He asked if I had a couple of hours to help man the board and I readily agreed to help, as did the other leaders of Bellas.  He offered to move the board onto Bellas and we would run the board and keep the donations to Kelly going.  Together we kept the board going for another 6 hours or so.

We raised enough money to cover Kelly's expenses that day.  I was happy to help Kelly, but I can't say that I didn't get anything out of it.  That day I got to be a part of a beautiful experience.  I got to see many artisans coming together to help another artisan in need.  I was blown away by how many people came to the board and were buying and donating and promoting.  It was incredible.  I am truly grateful to Wanda, Annie, and Chaya for allowing me to be a part of it, and for the opportunity to meet these wonderful women.  Their selflessness and kindness will stay with me forever.

This is not the first time I have been involved in a benefit to help an artisan, and seen the flood of generosity that comes with it.  I was moved deeply then, and I was again on Monday.  I am not ashamed to say that I cried several times on Monday.  I cried for Kelly and her son.  I cried for the amazing thing Annie, Chaya, and Wanda had started.  I cried at the sincere concern everyone on the board showed for Kelly and her family.  And I cried for the generosity and compassion that everyone showed that day.

In the world we live in, acts of atrocity have become routine.  To be a part of something like this, reaffirms your faith in humanity.  It makes me feel better about the world around me, and ties me even tighter to the artisan community.  I have been immersed in it since I was a child, and I am so grateful that I was.  I learned at an early age how the artisan community takes care of everyone around them.  Every artisan I know, and I know thousands, have gigantic hearts.  They will take you in and take care of you.  They will show you love and compassion.  They don't judge.  They are open and welcoming.  I am so appreciative of this community.  This community played a major role in the kind of adult I developed into.  I do my very best each day to remember the lessons they taught me, and Monday was a great reminder.  That to be open, loving, and compassionate is the only way to truly be happy, and at peace with the world around you.

Thank you Chaya, Annie, and Wanda!  For starting the benefit, and organizing it, and for letting me be a part of it.  I can't tell you how much I took from it, and how grateful I am to you.  I have so much love and respect for you girls, and for what you did, and how hard you worked.  I am truly humbled by it.

In a modest effort to do something kind in return, I have listed some links below.  There is a link to Kelly's shop, to every shop that worked to organize this, and to every shop that worked on a board.  Please take a moment to visit their lovely shops, like their Facebook pages, and follow them on Twitter.  They are a fabulous group of people.

Love and Peace,

Luci

List of Shops:


Kelly - Treasure 2 Remember
Annie - Aunt Annie's Antics
Wanda - GA Girl Jewelry and Gift
Chaya - Pearls Plus LLC
Rocco - Rocco's Country Spice
Luci - Idle Hands Yarn Supply
Amber - Cosmic Cauldron
Raven - Divine Deliciousness

25 comments:

  1. Luci,
    I have to say, I am crying right now. That was beautiful. You, Rocco, Amber, Raven, and all of Bella's team were a major part in all of this. We could not have done it without all of you. I am with you that we just want to take care of each other. I would have done the same for any of you, or any person I knew of in need. I have so much love and respect for all of you, and everyone who contributed to Kelly to get her to her precious son.

    Much love,
    Wanda

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    1. Wanda, now I am crying again! lol Thank you so much for your kind words. I know that you and everyone else would have done it for anyone in need. You, and everyone, have HUGE hearts and I love all of you!

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  2. It was so wonderful and so many people were there even if they couldn't donate, but to show there support. It was such a heartwarming experience

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    1. Amber, you were fabulous with updating the board!!! :)

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  3. Beautiful Luci & very moving. It was great to see everyone working together & helping out for such a worthy cause for a wonderful person.

    xxx

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    1. Thank you Beau! It was wonderful to see everyone come together, wasn't it? I am still greatly moved by it.

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  4. Saw this on Facebook - MESSAGE FROM TREASURE KELLY - she has been unable to post here so I am posting for her:


    ******************
    I have been trying to comment on this but... gahhh blogspot does not like me. Here is my response: Luci, I just received this link from Wanda and I have to say that I am CRYING TOO!!

    I have to echo every sentiment you have shared with us here in this blog.
    This is most eloquent and I am not sure I could do justice to add more. Everyone was fabulous.
    The day of the BNR I was busy making arrangements and packing and just trying to keep my nerves under control. I kept checking in on the BNR every once and a while and just amazed that it kept on going. Those amazing people donated over $1000 to my son and me so I could get to be with him immediately. It sure helped to ease the stress for sure!

    I just love those precious people and with you I have to say that my sense of my peace and hope in this world is renewed when these types of things happen and the loveliest people in the world gather to the rallying cry.

    Thank you NxN Team Leaders for loving me
    Thank you Bella's Leaders/BNS Team for caring so very much.
    Thank you Wanda, Chaya and Annie xox
    Thank you Rocco for being a cheerleader of love .:)

    Wonderful Blog. Well Deserved and Completely Appreciated.

    Much Love xoxox Kelly of Treasure2Remember@etsy.com

    ******************

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    1. Beau, thank you so much for sharing this! I am tearing up all over again. I am just so happy that Kelly was able to get to her son immediately. It was so very important for her to be there.

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  5. Love and hugs to Kelly and Cody!! She's one of the best team leaders EVER! So excited and supportive!!

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    1. Agreed Wicked. Much love to Kelly and Cody.

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  6. Beautifully said Luci. Sincere wishes for Cody's speedy recovery and peace for Kelly.

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  7. Luci what a great job you and your team did. Thanks to you all. Prayers still going out to Kelly and Cody ♥

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    1. Thank you so much CK. It was absolutely our pleasure and I think we are all humbled by it. I also keep Kelly and Cody in my thoughts every day. :)

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  8. Etsians definitely pull together for one another! What a wonderful effort by all the organizers and the contributors to make this much-needed flight happen for Kelly! Mother and son absolutely needed to be together during this stressful time!

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    1. Agreed Grandma. That was a mother and son that desperately needed to be together.

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  9. Luci... Well Said my friend!!! It was truely an honer just to be there and watch the outpouring of love given to Cody and Kelly that day. I too Cried many times... And now again reading this post. I'm pround to call these people my friends!!!

    Susan AKA OhEdith

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    1. Susan, I truly loved having you there. I tear up every time I come back to this post and see the comments. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. :)

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  10. Luci I'm so touched and am truly humbled by your precious words! Chaya, Wanda you, Rocco, Raven, Amber and every single person that has poured out their love for Kelly and her son, will always have a special place in my heart!

    You are so dear to write this beautiful experience down! Thank you so, so much. I can't stop crying! Thank you my friend!♥

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    1. Oh Annie, now I am crying again. You are truly a beautiful soul and I am so grateful that I was able to meet you, Wanda, and Chaya. I consider all of you dear friends and love you all. Kelly has always been supportive of the boards I have run and other blog posts I have written. I was so pleased to support her. If you hear from her please tell her that her and Cody are in my thoughts every day.

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  11. You guys are simply awesome... It really brings back my faith in humanity. Cody and Kelly are still in my prayers <3

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    1. Thank you, Troy! You are very sweet, and I appreciate your kind words.

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  13. I just have to say that I am overwhelmed by the response to this post, and a little embarrassed by it. Annie, Wanda, and Chaya really deserve all of the credit. They did all of the work organizing this and getting the word out. It is because of their hard work that it was so successful.

    I was a very small part of it, but it was such a moving and beautiful experience that I was inspired to share. I hope it motivates others to become involved, and to take care of those around you. Right now, more than ever, we need to be there for each other, and be willing to care for each other.

    Thank you so much for showing me that love and compassion are everywhere, even when it feels like there is none to be found. I love you all!

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