Sitting at the board meeting last night I wanted to move the conversation away from the financial woes of the college into positive territory. It boggles my mind that we spend so much time talking about audits and budget versus improving our student completion rates. I was elated for an uptick in the evening when the “Brookdale Volunteers” presentation launched. One program, “Backpack stuffing,” brought me back in time. I thought of my neighbor Mary, who was nursing her critically ill daughter through her final days and her son Michael.
It was September and Mary was spending hours at the hospital while trying to juggle two young sons at home. Her son, Michael, was about to begin first grade. The church had organized meal delivery, but food alone does not feed a family. Tired of feeling helpless I went to Target and bought Michael a backpack, filled it with brand new school supplies and left it on their doorstep. Several weeks later 7-year-old Margaret, lost her life. The years passed and our paths divided. 
This morning, breaking my usual routine, I ran to the grocery store for milk. As I snagged the shortest check-out line, I saw Mary in front of me. I had not seen her in years. I tapped her on the shoulder, wished her Merry Christmas and asked about the boys. She smiled and shared their latest successes.
I hesitated but decided to tell her about Michael and Margaret entering my thoughts last night. As soon as I shared the story her eyes welled with tears. I immediately put my arms around her regretting my decision to share the memory. As we broke apart, she told me even though it was 20 years ago she still struggles to understand why she lost her daughter.
Taking my hand in hers, she whispered, “Thank you for remembering Margaret, sometimes I feel as though no one does.”
This morning I am grateful to Margaret and the Brookdale Community College Volunteers for reminding me that people who lose a loved one want their memories to stay alive, especially during this time of the year.
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