Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Ubunto

by Judy



Over the past week I've had many ideas about this blog post, but I couldn't bring all of my thoughts coherently together.  Although I wanted to write about spring, or photography, my mind kept going to my friend Jeannie, who passed away last Wednesday evening, just one week ago today.  She had a horrible form of cancer that didn't respond to any treatments, and she suffered a long, arduous journey.  

She is survived by her wonderful husband, and two precious sons - one, a 10 year old, and the other, a 14 year old who is a good friend of my own 14 year old.  

Even though I still weep at the thought of her being gone, I'm trying to focus on the way that the community is coming together to try and help.  Neighborhood Mom's and Dad's, all of her family, the boys classmates, school administrators, church members and coaches are coming together to help the family through this.  

"Ubunto" is an African tribal philosophy that is about the community coming together to help one another.  We've all heard that "it takes a village" to raise a child, and even in this modern, tech-filled world we live in, the community is still such an  important part of supporting our friends and loved ones in need.  

In this time of sadness it is so heartwarming to see all of the good that is surrounding Jeannie's family.  It's human nature to band together and to help one another.  I see that there is still a lot of love and hope in this world, and that's a good thing to remember when it seems we only see what is wrong and hateful in people.  

I don't have the answers that Jeannie's sons want to hear right now, and I certainly can't fix this, but I can be there for them, and I will be there for them.  I need to help her children on their journey through this, to not only survive this awful time, but to thrive.  And I know that they will thrive. This loving community of people are going to see to that!  

"You must not lose faith in humanity.  Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."  
Ghandi








7 comments:

Carol said...

It's wonderful to hear this. I've been thinking a lot lately about all the love and support we saw around here after 9/11 and wondering where all that love and those good intentions went. I am glad to see this and other examples that it still survives.

Dotti said...

Oh, my! This is such a profoundly important message right now. To love one another. To help one another. To care for one another. To accept one another. To embrace one another.

Let's do it! Let's all go out and do these things. Today. In our own little corner of the world.

Cathy H. said...

Such a good reminder to be there for others. Sometimes in this fast paced world we let connecting with others slide until there is a tragedy, but, we need community all the time. We need support and encouragement.

kelly said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend judy. so heartwarming to hear how your community is pulling together. a beautiful thing to witness in a dark time. xoxo

Liz said...

Wow! What a touching and heart wrenching post! So sorry for your loss, Judy! Your friends sons are blessed to have you around and how great is it when communities come together.

AFishGirl said...

I'm so very sorry to hear of your friend's passing, Judy. Yes, there is great goodness in people, in their loving of each other, in their support in the hardest of times. Be gentle to yourself. I always say that grief is a very hard river to wade. Big hug to dear you.

terriporter said...

So sorry for your loss, Judy. When these things happen I always think one of the few bright spots is how people rally round each other in times of need. It really affirms our faith in human nature. So glad those boys have you and their other friends to help them through this difficult time.

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