I feel so compelled on this day, Martin Luther King Day, and the day before the inauguration of our new president to share with you a touching story that I am proud to be a very small part of.
I truly was moved to my core as a young child by Martin Luther King and his speech that echoes in the hearts of all Americans; “I Have a Dream.” I sensed his power even at this young age and regretted that our country did not have the benefit of having him with us and to see his ideas evolve. I felt his power and feared what this loss would bring. We have another chance, I see.
This story that I would like to share is of a young twenty-nine-year-old woman who lives not four miles from me, Emily also had a dream. And her dream came to fruition today, on Martin Luther King Day … and the day before Martins’ dream becomes a reality also.
Emily’s story was brought to the attention of three men with huge hearts, one a dear friend of mine, prone to doing good deeds without thought. This one was a challenge of obstacles whose heights were unknown.
Emily lives here in Chester County in a little train stop town. Blink and you’ve passed it. It, and many of the towns surrounding, are part of what is called the Main Line of Philadelphia. Named because of the affluent homes that grace the narrow streets of the main causeway known as Lancaster Pike, which travels parallel to the commuter train bringing city people from Philadelphia to the affluent, lush surroundings they call home here in the horse country of Chester County.
Emily is a dedicated, single mother of two small girls, ages eight and four. She is collecting permanent disability due to being diagnosed with a life altering illness. Her four year old, Anna, is suffering from liver cancer and Emily is her sole caregiver. Her daughter had one surgery not long ago to remove the cancer, however, the tumors have returned. She now has seven tumors to which her small body must battle. No temporary caregiver can hold a childs’ hand as they struggle with the effects of chemo on their frail little bodies. So Emily is in her home that she is thankful to have, only because her grandmother passed away and left the property to she and her brother. She has been without heat for eighteen months because the boiler was broken. Winter was coming and Emily didn’t know what to do.
Emily doesn’t have the resources that her neighbors have, live-in maids, gardeners, personal chefs, etc. Emily has been without heat this winter every day and night, until today. What a victorious day for her. Martin Luther King Day, the day before Barack Obama, her elected president, takes office and works to bring about the change Emily is so desperate for.
Emily had reached out to her community services that aid residents of Chester County, only to be turned away. “We don’t serve that town. Yes, it is part of Chester County, but there really isn’t a need in that Main Line community, so, even though you live there, we can’t serve you and your family. We are sorry, Emily.”
Well, this is where the guys come in. Somehow they were made aware of this strong, determined young woman who was looking to get help in repairing her furnace so that she could get an oil delivery for the winter before the elements became too harsh. This project began during Thanksgiving for the three volunteers, who all worked diligently most evenings until 10 or 11 pm before heading home to their families, to wake and go to their own jobs. Broken radiators were removed, electrical boxes were rewired, a new chimney cap was installed, as well as having the chimney cleaned and a new tank of oil delivered. Many other obtacles were thrown at them but they felt a sense of determination they didn’t quite understand. One of these dedicated volunteers had a family crisis of his own to deal with but he felt strongly that this family needed him too.
