“Could a greater miracle take place than to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” —Henry Davis Thoreau
That day in Boulder Creek was much like these past few days have been, cold with on and off spurts of rain with some sun mixed in. I remember wishing I had brought an umbrella with me. Karen, half running, skirted the man curled up on the sidewalk in front of New Leaf Market, me close behind. As Karen reached the crosswalk, I yelled for her to go on ahead.
I turned and walked back to the man and asked if he was OK. Shaking his head yes, I asked if he was cold and if he was hungry as well. “Yes, hungry,” he said. I went into New Leaf Market and bought a couple of pre-made sandwiches and milk for the man on the sidewalk, gave them to him, and continued on to meet up with Karen at the Pizza Parlor.
“What man?” Karen said as I settled into my seat. I was taken aback that a person curled up on a sidewalk, in the rain, would not be seen. Worse yet, that you would not stop and ask if they needed help.
As a first grader, I remember my little friend Maggie O’Brien who I somehow knew came from a very poor home. Maggie was blonde and blue-eyed and bashful. For some reason, I always put my hand out to her whenever we walked to our lunchroom, and I would share whatever I had with Maggie. I felt I wanted to help Maggie, and at the age of 7 I did my best. Five years ago, at that grade school’s reunion, I learned from Maggie, that her father was an abuser.
I have learned in recent years that “sympathy” abounds here in our valley with so many people going through hardships both from personal and weather-related problems. Losing a dear family member or friend is familiar to each of us, and we find it helpful to send flowers and cards to express our feelings of sympathy.
Empathy is another matter. Children, I have learned, begin to develop empathy in their preschool years, often abused by unhealthy family dynamics, having lost a parent of their own at a very young age or born with tendencies that make them more or less empathetic. Putting one’s self in another’s shoes, so to speak.
You will find those with feelings of empathy working as nurses, fire and policemen, social workers and those people volunteering their time and money for the greater cause. When help is needed, those with empathy jump in, often offering their homes, cars or sharing whatever they have, understanding how that person feels…again, walking in their shoes.
A week ago, my dear friend, Ann Bennett-Young, called me from Graham Hill Road, where a tree had fallen across the road and crushed the home of a senior couple who had lived in their home most of their married life. The house was laid open by that fallen tree and most of their belongings were subject to the rain forecasted for that evening.
“Damians Ladder needs to help now, Colly, this is an emergency, and rain is on its way…what do you think?” asked Ann. “Go for it, Ann,” I said, and the next day, Charlie Brown with his three-man crew were hauling furniture and whatever else was in the path of the oncoming rain, down to the self-storage in Scotts Valley. Ann, herself, worked alongside, and by eventide, their work was done. Empathy at its finest!
For Damians Ladder, because of this unusual situation and the beginning of the Christmas holiday and rain on the way, we had to make a decision quickly. Please understand, dear readers, and for future reference, we are not in the moving business. But when you are standing in front of a home on fire, do you not pick up a hose?
Over this past year, Damians Ladder has made small repairs to the homes of seniors and those with disabilities. We now have an even dozen of volunteers who give of their time freely, men and women with great empathy for their neighbors needing a little help to keep them in their homes safely and comfortably.
This is not an easy job as there are so many needing help that simply cannot afford to pay for those repairs. Our phone rings daily and emails come in just as often requesting help. Reading these requests, you can feel their worries and pain and some so embarrassed to be asking for help.
As we begin this new year, dear readers, Damians Ladder would love to have you join our volunteers, making small repairs to homes of those less fortunate. You can reach Damians Ladder by emailing at***********@da***********.org.
Happy New Year!
