Pay it forward, Pass it on

This past year has been a trying one for most people on so many levels and to so many degrees. Physical, mental and financial hardships seem to be the norm and the general mood of gloom and doom still hangs in the air. I had my own share of struggles this past year - including the sudden and unexpected death of my children’s father. But, in the midst of all of the chaos, I managed to find my joy and solace in helping others every day, AND committed to journaling it. Sickness, grief and life, however, interfered and ultimately I ended up with 233 acts of kindness - instead of the 365 I had planned. But still, it was more than half my goal and even my kids thought it was kind of cool to read and reflect on. I learned that even the smallest acts of kindness can change someone’s world, even if it’s just your own.

I’ve chosen to share not the grandest gesture - but one which, nonetheless, equally tugged at my heart strings.

(Recent excerpt from my journal)

“She boarded the bus!” messaged Patty, Cam’s mom.

Best words ever. Another hurdle down. My heart was racing, nervous, excited and scared. Please don’t let the traffickers find her. Please let her make it home safe. I repeated it to myself over and over and over, trying to panic-speak it into existence.

Two days prior I had purchased a Greyhound bus ticket for a young woman in California who was trying to get home to her family across the country. She was listed as missing person in one of my social media groups - a victim of human trafficking. Her mom Patty posted in the forum pleading for help to get her daughter home. Her situation was dire. Her daughter was injured, being trafficked and was pregnant with her captors child. Her infant daughter had been killed several months prior. She needed to get out and there was only a small window of time to gather resources, devise and execute a plan to escape. Time was of the essence and she had missed the opportunity multiple times before. I had read her story. I knew Patty had exhausted her finances and likely couldn’t come up with the money in time. This was her chance to get Cam home. It may have been her last chance. How could I let a couple hundred dollars get in the way of that? My heart ached for this poor girl and her mom - these almost strangers I had just met. Time was ticking, and no one else stepped up.

I made sure Cam was comfortable for her trip, well fed and sent her more money to get the basics when she got home. She had no belongings, no clothes, no identification - not even the ashes of her daughter. Having no identification made everything near impossible including picking up ticket in her name. So much red tape, but a couple unexpected angels helped things along the way. After 29 hours, a few detours, obstacles and a lot of waiting and messaging, Cam made it home to her family. And...exhale...

Her mom shared the milestone that Cam finally, after more than a month home, started allowing hugs. Even asking for them. Her hair is growing back from the dehumanizing crew cut she was given. Several months later, after some physical setbacks, Cam is doing better. There are good days and bad days, as with everyone. She’s a little less angry, a little more grateful. She’s slowly healing, living with her mom and taking care of their horses and farm animals.

While sparing you the horrific details of her story, I can tell you that the man responsible for her infant daughters death has been convicted of murder and is serving 20 years to life in New York. Several other men of interest in her trafficking case are still at large - for now. I can tell you that they don’t all get on the bus. Not everyone makes it home. Not all the endings are happy. But that won’t ever stop me from trying to help.

Cam thanked me for my support and generosity and said I showed her that there are good people in this world. People who will help a stranger, even the ones society shuns or deems unworthy. People who don’t judge. People who expect nothing in return. This was a hard concept for Cam to grasp. She asked me why I helped her - a random person that wouldn’t have done the same for me. What did I want in return? She asked me this question multiple times, defensively even - as if she didn’t believe me, or was afraid that I had somehow Rumplestiltskinned her. After all, I wasn’t wealthy, she was surprised to learn. I was struggling too.

What did I want in return?! How could she repay me? She asked one last time...

You can heal, Cam. Tell your story. Pay it forward, then pass it on.