“O, God, we humbly ask Thee, by the intercession of Thy Servant, St Lucy that Thou woudst give perfect vision to our eyes, that they may serve for The great honor and glory, and for salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of unfailing light of the Lamb of God in paradise.”
These were some of the words on the back of a prayer card given to me by a mom at drop-off this week at my daughter’s preschool. It’s the prayer of St. Lucy, the Patron Saint of Writing. As the week went on my big promise to write, to speak my gratitude, each Monday, was starting to weigh on me. The commitment had given me some sort of panic/writers block thing. On top of all that I had such a messy week, messy stuff at home, messy stuff with work, just plain hard. And then there was Beth, sweet, Beth. Standing in the parking lot of pre-school, prayer card in hand like of gift from God. Ok not “like”, she literally was a gift from God. Did I mention she was dropping off her 3 year old daughter, with 8 week old twin boys in the car, yes TWINS. (Yes that part of the story matters.) There she was with her St. Lucy Prayer card just waiting for me. I don’t have Beth’s cell phone number in my phone or her address even on my Christmas List (yet) she isn’t my go-to BFF on speed dial, but when I think back to all the scary things, all the big things in my life in the past year, there is Beth, in that memory. Just like she was this week, there she is, a gift from God.
I put the prayer card in my windshield with the prayer facing in so I could read it and pray it every chance I got, I wanted St. Lucy to save me from this panic attack that I had gotten myself into. And it turns out she just did.
Sweet Beth 🙂
Photo by Allyson Wiley Photography
Beth,
Way back in May I made a huge scary decision to start a non-profit. Everyone told me not to do it. I did it anyway. Within days of signing the paperwork, I had hit the ground running. I had radio interviews, newspaper interviews, all of sudden I was terrified beyond belief, doubting if I would be able to do it. One of the first things I had to do was a radio interview. You listened. By the time I got home from the interview still shaking from nerves, in my email box was a note from you. I didn’t even know you had my email address. I still remember what you wrote, “You did a beautiful job”. I have carried that with me in my heart every day since. What your words did for me that day, a woman in doubt of her own self, I can never explain just how much it meant. To feel like just for a moment, “Someone thinks I can do this”. You weren’t a friend trying to say all the right things so that I felt better. At that point we really didn’t know each other at all. But you were still there cheering me on, telling me that I could do this.
Since then you have been there so many other times, standing out in my memories, in my heart. When you sent me a message in July after seeing my girls at summer camp. You wanted me to “Thank” them for you, for staying with Lucy, she was unsure and a bit scared. You told me how sweet they were. It had been a hard week with the kids and your words made me realize that we were ok, that I was ok.
Again, at the park when you had read an article I had shared on the Virgin Mary, you made a point of finding me and thanking me, as it had meant so much to you. You didn’t know but, so much in my life was changing then. And that moment we shared about the Virgin Mary, Praying and spirituality had made my day. I was reassured that my new path, was the right one.
And then this week. You had no idea that I was facing writers panic, and all the messy stuff at home, and at work. But again, you saved me. Your kindness has brought me such joy over the past several months. You will probably never know just how much you have meant. Beth, Thank You. Thank you for always reaching out, always offering kind words, gratitude, and encouragement. I could not have done all that I have without you first believing in me and speaking those words to me. “You did a beautiful job.” Will forever be in my heart, when I think “I cannot” I will remember that you said, “YOU DID” !
I am more sure now than ever that God has put you here in my life for a reason.
God promises these words,” I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see” and then he sends you, and I know He is there and that all will be ok.
Your Friend (I hope that title is ok with you),
XOXO
Allison
catching souls 
From the hearts and minds of angels alike. You have captured Beth in her purist and she has clearly done the same for you! Love both of you, beautiful friends and women!
So unbelievably sweet and so true. I too have had the chance to be on the receiving end of her random acts of kindness and it is truly touching. She is a special person and you wrote it so beautifully:)
Beth sounds like one of those extremely special individuals who are so aware of people around them. She sounds like someone who, despite likely being in a busy life whirlwind herself – makes the time, takes a moment, to reach out. I always try to remind myself that we never know just how much one tiny random act of kindness can touch another human being.. whether that human being is a close friend, an acquaintance, or a complete stranger. I sometimes really do feel that people like Beth are real life angels who go around tapping their “wand” on someone’s shoulder and in turn, brightening their day or lightening a bit of a burden that they might be experiencing. Like you said, she didn’t even know that you were feeling such panic and anxiety over your writer’s block — that’s the most touching part. Light and love will come back to her in the universe somehow. You deserved to have something brighten your day, remember that! If you experience that writer’s block or panic again.. try this.. take a few minutes to yourself of quiet and peacefulness. Look into your soul and into your heart and think about something, anything, that moves you or you feel passionate about. A past experience, a person, a book, a song.. I have a feeling you won’t struggle with it too much moving forward. Loved your entry today! ❤
Thank you Marna, I will definitely take your advice. I am hoping that the panic was a one time thing, being new to this whole writing thing, but who knows. XOXO
I have a huge smile on my face and in my heart for I know all too well, what you are speaking of! What a blessing and such beautiful words of gratitude….
I love that this is a little “We love Beth Fest” She is quite a little gift isn’t she?
It’s the random acts of kindness that can go so far… So very lucky your paths have crossed in life.