September 15
WOW. THANK YOU for hearing and responding to my cry for help!!! Again I can’t sleep, so I’m going to try, however feebly, to express my enormous gratitude and how you are touching us so deeply…
I’ve always loved the way Anne LaMott named humanity’s three main prayers as HELP,THANKS,WOW. Yesterday I cried and asked for HELP and to be clear, I’m STILL asking and needing help as families share my contact with each other every day and introduce me to others in hope that I will help their friends and families. In the midst of so much grief and pain and loss of stability of everyTHING, everybody is still caring for each other by letting others know that I am offering, however small, a bit of relief. This is something so beautiful that my culture offers this country: A humanity and community steeped in corazón/heart. And from this space, they and I are continually feeling THANKS and WOW from the bottom of our hearts. All these days and especially yesterday I kept crying with profound GRATITUDE and AWE at all of the helpers, those bringing donations, those willing to drive me everywhere, to bring food, those handing and sending me cash with total trust. All of you who bowled me over with your sharing of my post, your loving words, your understanding and your tangible ACTION in sending much needed donations. My car is a tender wailing room. My heart swells with thanks/wow to all of you. I cannot believe the gift, MIRACLE and privilege it is for you to support me to help my community with compassion in a way that communicates honor and dignity. And the families express this in eloquent blessings, “Que Dios le bendiga…Que se le multiplique todo…eres un ángel” (May God Bless you, May God Multiply your blessings, you are an angel) I tell them, it’s not just me, that it’s all of YOU giving from near and far. I tell them there are people all over for whom they and their experience are a top priority, who care about them and send them love. Many eyes widen or tear up, many cry, we are all so connected to the beautiful human spirit that lives inside of all of us, and heals in the midst of despair. THANK YOU ALL. The little foster girl in me who has longed for years for people to SEE the need and injustice experienced by the marginalized and tangibly help, is still crying, but with SO MUCH thanks/wow in the mix now. As I see your loving wishes and prayers, I sob with amazement at your giving. You are helping my inner niña heal years of grief and despair. I cannot say gracias enough, I’m trying but words are insufficient. And I’m going to be honest that I’m afraid people will read this and think it’s done, the need has been met. I wish this were so but the need for direct aid is immense. For those who can, please keep following me in this journey and helping anyway you can. Deep and open hearted gratitude to ALL OF YOU for all the ways you are carrying us, and living the deepest imprint of caring for each other. We heal together♥️
To Donate:
Go Fund Me: www.gofundme.com/f/almedafireslatinxrelief
Venmo: @sylvia-Poareo
Note:
I’ve been sharing my experience of the Almeda Fire in southern Oregon on my Facebook page, but I want to share it here so you can all walk with me on this journey. Click the “Almeda Fire” tag at the bottom of this post to read the entire series.