As with Blanche DuBois, many of us have depended upon the kindness of strangers. But sometimes the kindness of strangers surpasses our expectations- sometimes we even surprise ourselves…

On May 15, 2017, our small community changed in the blink of an eye. A 7-year-old first grader brought a gun to school and when it fell out of his backpack, his class mate picked it up and the gun accidentally went off. The bullet struck their class mate, Gage. He was airlifted to a medical facility and so began his road to recovery. Meanwhile…

Prayer Warriors prayed for strength and healing, law enforcement urged firearm safety at home, schools provided counseling for their students and faculty. Our community slowed its pace, took in a deep breath and exhaled. Now it was ready…

After word of the accident got out on social media and to the local TV and radio stations, the question people were most asking was, “how is he and what can I do?”  Strangers wanting to help. If you know anything about the South, it’s that strangers are just friends that you haven’t met yet.  And so, it began…

An account was set up at a local bank along with other funding accounts to assist the family in paying medical and daily expenses. They had not left Gage’s side since arriving at the hospital.  Schools raised money by having blue jeans days, groups sold t-shirts, and this is where I come in…

I have a son who served in the Marine Corps for almost 8 years and was deployed nearly as many times. He was sent to far-a-way places that has camels and dust storms and red seas. He came back – unharmed – and for this I am thankful. On that day in May when I heard the news of the terrible accident my thoughts went to my son and to the mother of the boy who had been shot.

My heart said, “Do something” so I did. I changed my planned menu of baked good for the farmers market.  I baked cookies -lots of cookies.  On social media, I posted “Cookies and Lemonade for Sale – all proceeds going to Gage’s Road to Recovery Fund”. The word spread and people came. They bought cookies and lemonade or just to donate. I received the kindness of strangers that day and raised over $300 in just a few hours for Gage’s Road to Recovery Fund.

The kindness of strangers will make a difference in Gage’s life as he has in theirs and they have in mine.