When the shocking death of a former friend strengthens your resolve to help others
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
In 2012, Occupy Wall Street began to divide into blocs. I moved smoothly between these groups and got to know the vast majority of remaining occupiers. One of them was named Leah and she was part of an art and performance-oriented faction.
Leah was a sweet, shy, creative woman with whom I had a pleasant connection. She was palpably passionate about wanting to produce positive change. However, as I drifted from “activism” and the “left,” I lost touch with her.
Last week, I got a jolting update.
Leah passed away last month at the age of 40. I bounced around social media and patched together some basic details. She had been recently struggling with an undisclosed mental health issue which led to addiction and eventually, homelessness.
On her Facebook page, she posted a few erratic statuses. One of them from two years ago stopped me in my tracks.
Leah talked about using a gift card someone had sent her to get inside for a little while. She added: “This rewards gift card thing has saved my butt the past two weeks! It’s been a really, really rough time. The gift cards enabled me to stay here. I am very grateful.”
I immediately burst into tears.
To think that as she was typing those words, I was giving out gift cards to homeless women in the hope of “saving their butt,” as Leah might put it. If only I would’ve known. If only I could’ve crossed paths with her.
I harbor no illusions that I can rescue anyone from mental illness and/or addiction, but I certainly know I would have tried my best.
This news makes me more committed than ever to expanding my work and reaching more and more vulnerable souls.
Please keep Leah and her family in your prayers — and consider making a donation in her memory.
My project, “Helping Homeless Woman (& Others) - NYC” marks its seventh anniversary on October 16.
If you want to help me help others, here are the best ways to keep things going and growing:
Make a direct donation right here.
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Commit to a monthly pledge at Patreon here.
To keep things simple, click here and donate whatever feels right for you!
No matter what, please spread the word by sharing the above links far and wide! Thank you, as always, for your kind and generous support. And if you cross paths with a homeless woman or any vulnerable soul, remember to be friendly and compassionate.
I remember Leah and the group she was part of. I, too, drifted away, mostly because the demands on my time were so great once I started working in the film industry and I couldn't keep up with volunteer opportunities very much any more (aside from Food Not Bombs, which was on Sunday and only walking distance from my apartment). NYC really did destroy people with the energy it took just to survive. I hope Leah has found peace. She will be missed.
Two of the saddest words must be "If only." I felt your pain for Leah and urge you to feel that same compassion for yourself. You didn't know. If you had known, you'd have tried to help. What you do know, you are helping. You are doing the best you can with the knowledge available to you. Peace.