August 25, 2025

 Today would have been my brother's 53rd birthday.  While I am wistful and I miss him, I'm actually feeling pretty hopeful today. 

Hope is a feeling that is easily lost these days.  When I see the way the world, in particular, the United States of America (we are so NOT united), it's easy to give up hope.  However, several things happened over the weekend that not only gave me hope, but reminded me that I can encourage and nurture hope for others.

My husband and I left the Poconos on Saturday morning to head to NJ to help our son pack up and get ready to return to college.  (His junior year!  How did that happen?)  We got home just before he headed out for a scheduled haircut.  The day before had been the last day for both of his summer jobs:  working at a summer theater camp (which he has done for years) and acting as a sexton at a local church.  He did both on Friday; running the soundboard for the last show of the season and then heading to the church to help set up for the monthly food pantry.  (If I hadn't scheduled a haircut for him he would have gone down and helped on the actual day like he had in the previous months...and that's not part of the "paying job", but something he felt very strongly about doing, because as he has said to me, helping to feed people is important.)  While he was doing that I was helping out at the thrift shop (which I try to do every time I'm in NJ on the weekend).

My son came down to shop after his haircut.  The staff is like extended family for us.  They all wanted hugs goodbye (sadly not everyone got one, but he'll be back) and he helped carry some bags of clothing up to the car of one of our volunteers who will then bring them to a homeless shelter.  (Nothing goes to waste at the shop.)  Seeing how he cares for each of these volunteers fills my soul with joy and hope.

Before heading back to college on Sunday, my son wanted to go to the early service at the church where he has served since mid-May as sexton.  This is the second time he's gone to the early service this summer.  (The other time was when I spoke in July.)  He wanted to return his key and say his goodbyes.  

He and I both "honored" my parents by wearing shore inspired clothing.  (Note:  if my parents were still alive both of us would have been down at the shore this weekend, or at least part of it, to attend the  penultimate BBYRA race held at LYC...and enjoyed the after party with my parents [and Mount Gay rum] as this was a favorite event of theirs.)  He wore one of my dad's race committee's shirts (along with slacks and a jacket...which for him is "casual" for church) and I wore my Barnegat Bay print dress.

Before we even went in, he checked the bin outside the church where food pantry donations are made.  Surprisingly (for me), it was nearly full.  (Remember just the day before was the day the pantry was open for "shoppers" so the shelves would be pretty depleted.)  He brought the bags down to the holding area after the service.  He was told he didn't have to, but he did.  (Because that's the kind of person he is.)

There was a guest speaker that morning; a young lady who was a year behind my son in high school.  This young lady spoke eloquently and meaningfully on the day's scripture lesson (Luke 13:10-17).  In some ways she paralleled what I spoke about back in July (https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/sunday-sermon-71425.html) specifically (and here I am quoting myself!):    "We may think we are small and unimportant, but so was the Samaritan.  We may think that one small act may not change the world, maybe it can.  Maybe it can’t.  But while our actions might not change the world, it can change one person’s world. “She emphasized how easy it is to be overwhelmed in today's world, but brought a message of hope.  One that I needed to hear.  And that fact that she, like my son, may be young, but is incredibly wise, thoughtful and caring.

After an uplifting service (and once my son had brought in the food pantry items and returned the key -- which the administrator said he could have kept as she would love to have him help out over the winter break), we went to get bagels for breakfast.  Because a family bagel brunch/breakfast is love.

My son finished packing and my husband managed to get it all into the car.  (He is a master at fitting items into cars...I think back to when we had pack all of our stuff and a newborn into a car and drive 5 hours home.  That damned box of diapers was too much.  But if you took the packs out of the giant box...therein lies the genius of my husband.)  Then it was on the road for a "short trip" (is there such a thing when you are on the NJTP and the SIE) and back to the college campus.

Thankfully the parking lot, which is usually "closed" by my son's dorm was open. (That gate needs to stay up!)  We pulled out a few light items to carry in with the hopes of getting a "bin" (college provided rolling "bins" that would have been able to hold everything else in the car) to bring the bigger items.  My son got his key, was told that there were no and we went up to the top floor to his suite.

All of his suitemates had already moved in.  One of them had been there most of the summer as she was taking summer classes.  His roommate had come in the week before and his other suitemate had come in on Saturday.  All but one were in the suite when we arrived.

His roommate immediately offered to help and had his own collapsible wagon that we could use to wheel things up.  His suitemate offered to help as well.  The five of us headed back to the car and with the wagon were able to get everything that remained into the dorm in that one trek.  It was in the parking lot that I realized that although we had a car full of "stuff" my son actually packs relatively lightly and what he does bring he organizes well.  (And as I've said before my husband is a master at arranging items in the car.)

Because of the teamwork, we had everything in the suite in under 30 minutes (including the time it took to check in and for the guys to have some welcome back chatter).  Well, I should say ALMOST everything.  The fridge that I purchased last year and had paid to be removed, stored and returned had yet to make an appearance.  I'm hoping that I WON'T have to write a blog post about that.  Please Storage Scholars do your job without having me push.)  Aside from that, we were done.  I was so impressed with how his roomies helped out.  Again, seeing the people that they are (willing to help out without even being asked) gives me hope.

When I see what some might consider "simple gestures," I realize how these simple acts are really not simple, but impactful.   That each of us can make a choice whether to help or harm. (Inaction is NOT helpful.)  The more people who make the choice to be helpful, the better this crazy world will be. The world CAN change for the better, and even with simple acts that seemingly have no impact on the world has a whole, DO make this world a better place.

I'm so proud of my son, of the young woman who spoke in church the other day and to my son's friends for what they have done.  They have filled me with hope. I know there countless others out there doing good works like buying goods for food pantries, helping the unhoused find places to live, checking in on those who have no family and the list goes on and on.  The world can be filled with hope and we can give it if we so chose.  

I know what my choice will be. 

Update:  I am NOT Happy with Storage Scholars.  According to them, they went to pick it up back in May and it wasn't there...okay...but then why did no one send an email asking about it?  No, they did not charge me for anything other than the original start up fee (only $20), but shouldn't they have let me know that there was a problem?  Ugh...I'm still hoping for the best...