April 1, 2020

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage.  Rage against the dying of the light.

When Timmy passed away Liz asked me to accept his citizen of the year award on behalf of the family that was taking place two days later.   An award he didn’t know he was receiving, just the family and I and the chamber knew.  I don’t know if I have ever been so nervous in all of my life.  Tim is my hero.  Everyday, he is my hero.  we were waiting in the kitchen at the Comfort Inn conference center before the banquet got started, I had told the chamber of commerce that we were going to go on first and then leave.  It was pretty overwhelming and we were in shock.  Just before we left the waiting area, I looked up at all of us and said “I love you all so hard right now.”

I love you all so hard right now.  With every part of me I love you.

There are some very special friends I want to say I love you to.  Dina at Robaire’s, you are an amazing human.  They have started dropping off donuts here at the deli for us to give away in our People Helping People meals.  Yesterday the General Manager from Jimmy Johns came over and asked if we could use their leftover bread for our program.  Yes, Yes, Yes, a thousand times yes.  Today everyone who comes in for the program will be able to take home two of their giant loafs of bread.  Thank you Jimmy Johns, you are People Helping People.

Last night my friend John Hunter called me to talk about giving away pizza from The Cabin to those in need.  Hospital workers, Medical Care, Police, people in need.  Pizza for Hope.  Pizza for People.  People Helping People.  John, I love you so hard right now my friend.  You are People Helping People. 

And you out there.  The stranger in passing who stops and donates to our program.  The friend who donates to the program.  The receiver of the program.  I never thought anyone would want to give to help what we are doing.  I just wanted to help.  Turns out, we all want to help.  We want to help each other.  To help the stranger.  To help the friend.  To help fill this hole in our hearts.  I love you so hard right now.  You are people helping people. Timmy, can you see us now?  

To the police and fire department.  To the medical team.  To the restaurant worker.  To Kat.  To this amazing team here.  To the county, to the city, to my friends down the street.  To Helen Chase.  To the families at home.  To Al and Linda, to Karen, to Kevin, to Brad, everyone everywhere.  I love you all so hard right now.  Timmy, you are people helping people.  

From my friend Peter Gabriel.    

We can be heroes.  Just for one day