Ms. Veronica, an incredibly wise and multigenerational counsellor of souls.
Ms. Veronica is a lady of impeccable generosity, identified not simply by the hospitality and greeting, but also by the few moments of grace deserved and afforded in polite request to make herself more ‘presentable‘ for unexpected company.
Upon return, Ms Veronica immediately became Vera, a woman, widow, great grandma and neighbor who may not have enough, but she’d give a stranger half – and they would never know.
This is a powerful woman filled with a message. “Hurricane Ian did not create victims,” she immediately captured my full and undivided attention. She continued, “I am not a victim.”
“There are dead people, and there are survivors.”
Long pause. The depth of her eyes, intense.
I am wise enough to notice moments when my prior opinion of self, strength and fortitude are immediately being redefined. I am also smart enough to stay silent.
“Our loving God does not create victims, and apparently he is not finished using me.” Veronica’s eyes now alight. “In this moment I am filled with rejoicing,” she said, “because I know there is a purpose I have yet to fulfill.” From me, more smart silence. “How incredible is it for me at 90 to realize there’s more use, more purpose, and more time,” she concluded.
Then, just as casual as one might order a familiar coffee on any ordinary Tuesday, Vera asked…. “How is it I can help you boys?“…
There are rare moments in life when we say the right thing. For me today was one of those moments. My reply was simply, “I think you just did.”
You know something, she’s right.
All the Mr. and Mrs. Veronica’s are not victims; none of us are. God doesn’t create victims – people do.
How stark is the reality of hearing, “there are dead people, and there are survivors.”
If you are not in the former, none of us are, then we should rejoice and realize we have purpose yet unfulfilled.
♦ Scott from Fort Myers beach lost every worldly possession including his home. Scott is not a victim. How do I know this? Because I’ve seen Scott over several recovery efforts, and today I worked side-by-side with Scott for almost two hours before someone passing a water bottle told me he lost everything.
Eventually after the task at hand was accomplished, ear plugs removed, I asked Scott what he needed. His reply was simple, he didn’t know enough yet to be able to answer that question. Oddly, I think I understand. Scott needs to accomplish the two feet in front of him. Purpose within this moment, because his new normal is miles ahead. Yes, today I was the incredibly shrinking man.
Now the fun part of this…. Remember Veronica? When she said, “how is it I can help you boys,” Scott was the plural, he was standing right beside me.
When we jumped in the back of the truck, he leaned over and said to me, there’s the answer to your question.
The message was big. Ms. Veronica was the vessel, and it was Scott -not me- who was the intended target.
♦ Cynthia (aka Cindy) and John are successful small business owners. They are as attached and committed to the Cape Coral, Florida, community as any young couple could be. After originally planning to ride out the storm, they changed their mind. Late last Tuesday they loaded their car with all their most important possessions and evacuated a few miles inland to stay with friends.
Cindy and John survived Hurricane Ian and returned late yesterday to survey their property and evaluate if they could start to rebuild. A massive power pole and tree blocked their driveway, but from the street it looked like the house was structurally okay. Nervously John and Cindy navigated the debris and went inside to check.
In the fifteen minutes they were inside their home, someone stole all their possessions from the car they parked on the street.
Cindy and John are victims, that’s the difference.
Oh, and the guy who handed me the water bottle and told me about Scott’s loss…. That was John.
Today I learned again that bearing witness makes you small in comparison.
Love to all,
~ Sundance
My goodness gracious. Mr. Sundance. What a blessing you are!
Keep the full armor on.
Press on the race’s conclusion.
May the Almighty bless,
Preserve,
Protect
You and yours!
SD.. you are the blessing to so many. God certainly has his purpose putting you there at this time. I am a survivor too and grateful he has lead me through a life to keep my eyes on him and not material things. I learned that early in life. Vera is a women of wisdom. While we help as many as we can who have suffered so much in the aftermath of Ian, knowing we have purpose helps to place one foot in front of the other. I’ve shed a ton of tears lately, there is great sadness in so many eyes here but we are all the fortunate ones regardless. Thanks SD for this wonderful message… it motivates to keep going.
God bless you and the treeper family for the amazing prayers.
Be careful all my SWFL brethren, the predators are loose among us and look for any opportunity to take what isn’t theirs. Already have read reports that the gypsy travelers are active in Cape Coral using one of their oldest scams. They pull up in a truck targeting the elderly asking if they need help with any trees or debris clean up. At the same time an unseen partner enters the home and steals the victim’s purse and valuables.
special place in Hell for people like this
Fantastic post. If anyone manages a return to Pine Island, I know of two very stout friends who planned for, and survived, this Hurricane along with their home. On top of that, their refusal to leave after the storm exemplifies the character of self reliance that defines survivors. Renewed purpose would have them now salvaging property for neighbors, but alas there is not much left on that island. Suffice it to say that these two survivors, and their dogs, are not victims. If offered a cold beer, they will probably have quite a story to tell.
I am so conservative, after tornadoes and storms, we clean the closets to donate .
Then I get on the phone and call charities to make sure they give for free.
Last thing someone needs is to use up cash for replacing clothing.
I bet there are still supplies and donations in Puerto Rico that are stored and not distributed after Maria.
Wonderful posting and I love the picture.
What a great picture! I’ve read a lot of comments about “a boy and his dog,” but that’s a form of boy-dog togetherness I’ve never seen before. I truly hope they both get all their prayers answered!
This verse is one of my favorites. It conveys the essence of Vera’s message. I actually forwarded it to someone this morning to give them hope.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Satan wants you to fear and worry about the morrow….Jesus wants you to love and find joy in living as you Lean on Him every day
This is one of the finest essays I’ve ever read. Thanks!
Thank you for observing what is in front of you and sharing. Prayers up.
Thank you Sundance. We are reading you daily and are humbled and blessed by your perspective of this whole experience.
Thank you for sharing your wise thoughts and the beautiful people you encounter daily.
All are in our prayers.
You are doing great.. one humble and courageous step at a time. An example to all of us! Love you, good man! 🙏🏽
Thieves should be…. incredible but those people are going to Hell in a bad way.
Livin’ large with power restored this afternoon. Some people around the corner still out.
Still grateful for all the work ahead. I am anxious to swim again in the Gulf tomorrow morning!
SD. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious onto you. May the lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Dear Sundance, I do not know how to do this privately. But I have been taken advantage by charities for years, and cannot do it any longer. Heck I dont even care about the tax deduction.
So I would like to send you a lump sum that you can give out to your community. If this is something that you have the energy and time to do, I’ll be happy to send it to you in any way possible that will help. I’ve read your articles for many years and and am profoundly grateful.
You’ve got my email so please contact me if you can. I want to help, and I want to thank you for nourishing my mind, heart and soul for so long. My prayers go out to all dealing with this terrible test of souls. God Bless and protect you and all of the patriots saving and helping each other.
She is most certainly a Veronica.