Immersed in Light During the Darkness
Our faithful readers have noticed a space of emptiness on the Finding Freedom through Friendship blog these last two months. No updates, no organizational information, no posts at all.
Communication requires energy that was absent during a dark time at the FFF office. We suffered the death of a father, the expiration of a long-term relationship, and the tragic loss of a dear friend’s son. The weight of the pileup of events felt physical and so profound that pressing the keys on a computer keyboard required more effort than it was possible to muster. The axis of the earth had figuratively rotated, and the darkness that ensued was only good for one thing: understanding at a deeper level how it feels to be a participant in our program: death and abandonment by a significant other are the reasons our widows need Finding Freedom services.
Marguerite is our board CFO, and as such has devoted hours beyond counting to Finding Freedom. Her work as our representative in Egypt has resulted in stunningly positive and life changing program for our Middle Eastern participants. Marguerite’s stamina for our work is only exceeded by her passion for assisting disenfranchised women. She has led our organization down the path of helping widows in two hemispheres.
She dreamed more expansively for FFF than we thought possible, and her vision has manifested into The Karma Women’s Development Center in Minya, Egypt. Thirty women have now graduated from FFF classes with newfound skills in sewing, micro business and hair care. Thirty women who had lived with the dusky feeling one has when opportunity to be living a life of purpose is beyond your means. Thirty graduates who now have the means to create a brighter future for themselves.
This photo (Top of Page) of Marguerite was taken soon after she buried her father in Egypt. Immersed in the light of the Cairo tourist market, she was unaware of being photographed. This image of her standing among these brilliantly crafted lamps became the photograph I found myself repeatedly going back to in moments when I needed inspiration. Inspiration to move forward. The power to think positive. To tap into the light so that the women in our program could continue to receive what they needed to survive and thrive. This photograph of the stunning ancient architecture bathed in modern light and purposeful movement became the symbol of where my future attitude needed to reside.
In a world of proactive hope there is always a glimmer on the dim days. Our board struggled with significant hardships at the same time that a new grandchild was born into our flock.
Her name is Lucy, which means light or radiance. Little Lucy will be our reminder that following the dark days through their course can lead to more hopeful times for not only ourselves but our Guatemalan and Egyptian participants.