I know for anyone who has ever raised support, they have
stories similar to this one. But I believed this one was worth telling. We
found out we were accepted on Thursday to WR and by Sunday night we had a chili
night organized by our friends. We live in an RV park owned by my parents and
we live in a pretty tight knit community. Summer time is one of our favorites
cause not only is the park full of people, but regularly we are doing cook outs
and bon fires with lots of our friends.
Our Chili dinner night was special, three people offered to
make different kinds of chili and one couple who I had barely met offered to
make cornbread and two peanut butter pies. My mom and I both baked some
desserts and set out some decorations. My brother had been assigned to hand out
flyers the day before and to let everyone know to bring 5 dollars. On the
flyers they also made note that they would need to know how many people to
expect. On Sunday morning, one of the old guys who has lived here alone for
many years and does not come out to socialize much, knocked on one of the
ladies doors to let her know he was planning on being there for dinner. He had
showered, cleaned up and combed his hair just to let her know to expect him. That
night everyone started arriving and helping themselves to cups of chili, some
scattered to the tables while other stood around eating and visiting. I looked
over and on a bench off in the distant sat this old man, I went to see how he
was and thank him for coming. He starred down into his cup of chili while I
talked to him, then suddenly looked up and asked if he was allowed to have
seconds. I assured him he was and reminded him we would have dessert as
well. The night went smoothly as there
was plenty to eat, and plenty of sunshine after a cloudy day. The same old man
took home extra chili and cornbread for breakfast and snuck a handful of
cookies with it.
About twenty people came in all. Some I knew better than
others. But once said and done there were a few quiet ones that surprised us
they came at all. We were very grateful and honored that everyone participated
in one way or another.
It wasn’t until the next morning that I found out this same
old man had brought up pennies to exchange for quarters in order to help cover
his meal. He had scrounged for his 5 dollars so he could come and support us
and have himself a cup of chili. He even had to ask to borrow twenty dollars
from my parents just so he could buy groceries for that week.
I felt so bad and so humbled. He was given the chance to
give, and he took it, even when he had nothing left.
