VISA Gol! and Random Acts of Kindness

Oi Bebes, Friends and Family,

Our fundraiser was a success! I’m so happy to tell you that with the help of family and friends I have reached the goal of the fundraiser – to secure the funds for your visas! This fundraiser has been such an amazing journey. People helped, folks I never would have imagined lent a hand in my effort. It has made me realize how blessed I am to have such amazing friends. There were some glitches along the way but they taught me a thing or two about myself. They also magnetized the beauty of my friends who lent even more support at the 11th hour.

After we got rolling the day just got better and better. I had faith that God would’t let it rain on our parade and it didn’t, figuratively and literally. I also had faith that I would make my ‘visa goal'.

Expecting to have good weather and expecting to reach my goal I thought I had all my bases covered. What I didn't though was to have tears in my eyes sooo much! Here's why:

First, Aunt X donated the space to us and I got teary eyed;

Then the woman running the flea market donated another space to us but because of some glitches we couldn’t take advantage of her offer. She then told me that instead she would make a donation in our name to the Schneider’s Children Hospital, and again, I got teary eyed;

Then a woman heard why I was there at the flea market and bought a little angel from me at full price! She told me that every time she looks at the angel she’ll say a prayer for my kids – again, I got teary eyed;

Then came the waterworks -- John "Oscar” my old friend I referenced in the bog titled “Strangers and Strollers” came by with an amazing gift (as if he hadn’t done enough already) from him and another old friend who coached my childhood softball team, Kevin. These two really helped me reach my visa goal that’s for sure. This time though, instead of getting teary eyed I just broke down. John and Kevin’s act of absolute generosity touched my heart in a way that I have never experienced before.

Then, I felt an overwhelming urge to call my mom, your Grandma Rosie with the good news. I sat down for a minute and felt that feeling in my chest, you know when you miss someone so much you kind of lose your breath for a second. I then noticed a book called Holy Days in a box under the table. I couldn't figure out how it got there, especially that I didn't put it there. I picked it up and remembered that the summer before my mom died she was reading it. It was an enthnography about a Hasidic family in NYC. I began flipping though it and found a bookmark made from a Mother Theresa prayer. I knew it was hers. At that moment I had realized that my mother was once again, there, the whole day watching over us and I smiled. My mother comes through in so much I do, it is really unbelievable.

And so I’d like to thank, first my yet unknown children because without you I would never have experienced tears of joy; to all my friends and family for giving me support and encouragement throughout this endeavor and because without you none of this would have been possible. Finally to all the strangers that I have come into contact with, for your random acts of kindness. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I am truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life!

So, here’s a special thanks out to Mary Beth for all your PHYSICAL LABOR and GIANT TRUCK DRIVING ABILITIES on little sleep!

Muito Amor Mommy Patricia