While in the checkout line at Target, a very friendly woman approached me to tell me how much she loved my earrings.
"They're very egyptian. They look beautiful with your outfit, you just look so exotic."
There was really no point in telling you THE ENTIRE COMPLIMENT, other than to let The Internet know that someone called me "exotic."
I told her I got them right there from Target! Because, you know, I can't afford to buy from the expensive jewelery stores with three kids.
That led to a conversation about how you really never have "enough money" to have kids, but, everything always works out. I told her that when I found out I was pregnant with the beautiful little girl who was waving at her, that we had absolutely NO MONEY and how I panicked.
"God KNEW you needed her, though."
She then begin to tell me how she just got back from San Antonio, working with victims of Katrina as a nurse. She told me of a woman she cared for who lost her husband, is about ready to have a baby and has absolutely nothing.
My heart broke.
"I want to help her" I blurted out.
"I'll give you her cell phone number, you can call her and ask her what she needs."
I rushed home, grabbed the phone, took a few deep breaths and dialed the number. As soon as she answered, I started to cry. I introduced myself and told her I wanted to help her. She told me she doesn't have ANYTHING for the new baby that is about to be born. Her kids don't have anything.
From what Kim (the nurse that I met) told me, there are thousands of evacuees that are being completely ignored. She was angry. SO VERY ANGRY. She said it's unbelievable what's going on. She's called the mayor and the LA Times because she wants everyone to know what's really happening and how the people who "aren't at the Atrodome with Oprah and the reporters" are being completely overlooked and are in great need.
That's why I am going to do what I can to help Stacey. That's the woman's name. I have her phone number and now I have her PO Box number. If you'd like to help her, please, PLEASE email me and I'll give you the address where you can send things to. She needs baby items (again, she has NOTHING) she also needs clothes (size 16) as well as clothes for her children (girl, size 7, boy, size 8).
I have been crying ever since I first heard this woman's voice.
I feel blessed to be able to help her. If you'd like to help too, just leave a comment or email me.
(this is one of those posts that will have to go unedited because Gabby is awake and I shouldn't even be on this computer, but I had to write about this. I had to.)
This stuff makes me so sad. I really don't have anything to give her to help her out, but does she know if she's having a boy or girl? I might be able to help out with a few baby clothes or blankets or something.