Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Give back before you take......pay it forward


All my life I have had enough. If I wanted for anything I didn't know it. My Mom and Dad made sure we had everything we needed. Mom was very good with a dollar and made it stretch as far as she could. Dad often worked more than one job to take care of us, help my grandparents and take care of our home on Gwynn's Island while we lived close to his jobs.

Mom was always looking out for someone else. If a friend was ever sick she was right there helping. All her life she cared for elder family members. For years her parents and grandparents lived with Mom and Dad. Guess it came natural to us to try and help others. As I have gotten older seems more of Moma creeps out. I can see her now fixing plates to take to neighbors, fixing flowers for the graves, sewing clothes for us and our cousins, just always busy thinking about others. I would like to think I could someday be as good as she.

In the past 5 years I have had the pleasure to use my talents to help others. On a visit to my Oral Surgeon friend Dr. Pirok, for a post op visit, I was asked if I would like to go to New Orleans to work at a free dental clinic to be set up in the Audubon Zoo for victims of Katrina. Without batting an eye I said yes, but I don't fly. So the plan was made then and there that Pam, his assistant and my dear friend would drive my Yukon to New Orleans with all the equipment! During the weeks that followed plans were made. The excitement mounted as we got closer and closer to the departure date. Then...............

Bright and early we headed out, truck packed we were gone. Heading down I95 laughing and talking all the way. First stop Savannah, Lady and Son's Restaurant for some good Paula Deen cooking, stroll down River Street, car tour of the squares then off to Darrien, Ga. to spend the night. Next morning I95 again until we hit Rt. 10 and headed west to NOLA. Stopping along the way to take in some sights not wanting to tarry too long, we rode and laughed and talked hitting New Orleans a little before football time that Sunday afternoon. The hotel had a buffet set up with TV's for all to watch the game. Soon our air travelers joined us and the week was off.
Darryl, and Pam's friend Deb had flown in from Virginia and a soon to be best friend had arrived from Albany, New York. He had heard Darryl had an extra space in his hotel room and became one of our team.

Dinner done, truck unpacked for that leg of the trip, we headed to a much needed rest, but no, rest in NOLA.............not. Pam, Deb and I decided to head to Bourbon Street.......but we had to include the guys. So the five of us went down to check things out. There was not much going on. Streets were almost bare. Things had not returned back to normal after the storm. We checked it out and then headed back to the hotel. Didn't take long for 5 am to arrive and we were heading out.........for the unknown for sure. The lobby was full of folks dressed in scrubs ready to face the day whatever it might bring! Off we went..............

To find the Zoo! Now that was fun. I not wanting to have to listen to back seat drivers, parked myself in the back seat relinquishing my keys to Darryl the Chicago furniture mover........so he called himself, his summer job in school. After a while we found our destination and couldn't believe the line that had already started to flow through the parking lot. Unbelievable.

First stop, staff meeting to find out what to do, where to go and who to ask. Next to unpack the truck and get set up. Then to gather the kids that were going to work with us that day. The students from VCU/MCV were not coming to this. We were to work with the Dental students from there. Their school had been destroyed by Katrina and the people that used it during the storm, so they were at Baton Rouge for the time being. Nice group of kids, fun to work with.

We found our little corner. Bound by a brick wall on one side the rest open except for a fence that helped keep our stuff safe during the nights we were not there. Yep we were outside, had a roof over our head from the walkway, but we were outside. Tents and tarps surrounded us full of computers to check people in, dental chairs and equipment to work on patients, triage areas, then further on medical units to do screenings for eyes, diabetics and other things. Impressive to say the least. Then around us some of the animals that survived the storm. Beautiful animals that along with the people could not escape the furry of Katrina's wrath.

From Monday to Wednesday we worked from sun up to sun down. The operation was so massive, couldn't believe our eyes mornings as we pulled into the parking lot still more people lined up for treatment. Some had started treatment plans at the dental school, paid for dentures and bridges and couldn't get the final placement due to the storm. They worried about payment, the MOM clinic was free, their money was no good here.
The last day in NOLA was bitter sweet, we had worked hard, got up to an early breakfast, another cup of Joe and we were on a 3 hour tour of the devastation made by that horrible storm named Katrina. As we rode through the streets of what used to be neighborhoods the heartbreak was everywhere. Seemed no one was spared. Katrina had touched every life in NOLA in some degree or another. The sights were etched in our minds forever. And the sound or lack there of. Birds few and far between, children playing, none, cars traveling, few. Those neighborhoods were trying to recover as some still are today.
After returning from our trip heading back to the Zoo we were packed and off to Virginia. Traveling the same way we came with just one difference. We carried a lot of passengers with us, not in flesh, but in spirit. We carry them still in our hearts and minds. We pray for their recovery and hope for their lives to return to NOLA.

Since then I have worked with Dr. Pirok at other MOM one on the Eastern Shore and one in the foot hills of Virginia near Orange County. Every time I am more impressed at the massive outpouring of help. The volunteers willing to give their time and money to come work in school buildings or firehouses or in open fields. And the patients standing for hours waiting to be seen and get some sense of comfort. The pain they have endured for so long, the mental anguish of not being able to afford the simplest of care that could lead to severe infection, pain and disease.

To these people hope is sent in the form of Mission of Mercy workers. To these people much is given, little payment is expected, except for the thought that one day they themselves can pay it forward. Give without being asked to give, if only for one moment. Give to someone that has a need worse than you. Give of yourself, your time, money or just a shoulder to be leaned on. Just give whatever you have. Pay forward in return of what has been paid to you by total strangers, strangers looking to give kindness, hope and love. Pay with love, send it forward.....
Don't have to travel thousands of miles to help others. Look around in your community. Is there anyone who needs a hand? Sick friend maybe. In your church, you do have a church, anyone having a rough time? Cook a little extra, make a plate stop it by. Make an extra casserole for a family in need, quick visit with it in hand would make their day. Just a short phone call can make someone feel better. A card, a note never know how you can make someones day with what you wrote. Pay it forward, pay with love, follow His lead......you know the One from above. He has taught us many lessons, now it's time to show what you have learned. Share, care and do it with love.