Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [154]
After greeting everyone and sharing a short prayer, Veronica opened the meeting to questions and concerns.
Jake Hawkins spoke up immediately. “I’m glad we’re finally getting over this pity party we’ve been on and gettin’ something done through this co-op you and Bill Princeton are setting up.”
Another hand went up: “Everything’s changing so fast, Pastor. I just can’t wrap my head around it. Last week I was scared silly by how much it would cost for gas to drive back and forth to my job in St. Peter. This week I’m not even sure there’ll be gas available at all—or a job, for that matter.”
Veronica nodded and thought, I’ll need to talk to Bill Princeton to see what we’re doing about carpooling outside of Mankato.
“My house is a drafty old sieve,” said someone else, “and the propane I use to heat it is costing a fortune. With my arthritis and rheumatism, I need to keep it heated at seventy-five degrees or more. I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
Veronica’s heart ached. The co-op’s recommendation that thermostats be set at sixty degrees isn’t going to work for a lot of older people like her. Maybe weatherizing her house will help, but it’s not the total answer.
Veronica was surprised at the number of concerns directly relating to basic survival needs. She let the audience vent for a while longer, knowing the sense of community and support it was building. She knew from her Twelve Step recovery group that people felt stronger and less alone when sharing their experiences with others, and this was no different. It was time, however, to talk about something more positive.
“Thank you all for sharing your fears. For those here for the first time, we are building a Life Challenges Co-op to address many of the challenges brought up tonight. There’s strength in working together, and I’ve asked Bill Princeton, the interim director of the co-op, and other members of the executive committee to speak to you tonight about our plans. It’s a work in progress, but Bill and his team have done a remarkable job. Bill, would you c’mon up and tell us about the co-op?”
For the next hour, Bill and his team explained the co-op’s plan, answered questions, and made a plea for volunteers. He connected with them almost immediately as he matched the challenges brought up earlier with specific ways the co-op could help them. Spirits lifted, and there was a new excitement in the air. It was the first message of hope that many had heard in quite some time.
Jake Hawkins piped up again: “Great job, Bill, and that goes for your entire team. For the first time since this crap all started to happen, I’m startin’ to think we can do something about it.”
Veronica nodded and closed the meeting with a prayer. She invited everyone to stick around for coffee and fellowship, and a good number accepted her invitation. The church didn’t empty until well after ten, and she stayed to help Martha and Waldo clean up. As she mopped up the puddle around the coffee urn, she smiled and thought, Thank you, Lord, for bringing us all together, and for not giving us more than we can handle together.
Exhilarated, Veronica pulled on her coat and opened the church door, only to be startled by a frigid gust of wind that left her breathless. She sighed as she stepped out into the first snow of the year—early even by Mankato standards—and thought, It’s going to be a long winter.
56
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
26 October 2017
Lyman Burkmeister rested comfortably