The Ultimate Thank You

Barbara Horn

A story of gratitude written during May, 2002, the last month of St. Paul's Chapel's World Trade Center Relief Ministry in New York City. This compliment was a new one for us. It was coming from a family member; it's not often we volunteers get to meet the families.

Last Wednesday there was a candlelight walk from Battery Park – 1/2 mile south of the Chapel, where you catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty - to the WTC Cross, Ground Zero. The gathering honored all Emergency Medical Service workers lost September 11. Afterwards, many headed over to St. Paul's. The lights were already lowered for the evening; someone was playing softly on the piano.

I checked in on the kitchen and massage areas. Plenty of attention was being given to both. I started to leave. As I reached the supplies table by the front door, I recognized a woman from the walk: A gal in her early 40's, with one of those strong and nurturing faces, the kind you would want to be looking into if you were in an emergency situation. She had a navy pullover on with the letters: FDNY EMS. She turned her warm gaze to the three of us volunteers nearby.

"I want to thank you all for everything you have done." So far, nothing unusual. Don't misunderstand. Every thank you is treasured. It is a tremendous gift and privilege to receive people's heartfelt thanks. To see people's eyes well up, to feel the gratitude in their hearts being extended... as my nephews might say, it is way cool!

This compliment was a new one for us. It was coming from a family member; it's not often we volunteers get to meet the families.

She continued. "I want to thank you for taking care of my husband. I have had such peace knowing he is here at St. Paul's Chapel. During all those long and weary hours, you've given him a place to rest, a real home away from home. When I couldn't be here for him, you were. My family and I will always be grateful."

We stood there in silence. We were so overwhelmed. Finally one of us said: "Thank you for giving your husband, for supporting him in this recovery effort. We can only imagine how much you've missed him these past months. You have our prayers and deep appreciation."

And so it goes, this mutual admiration society. Everybody thanking everybody! Folks doing their best under such duress.

May God continue to keep our hearts open and bless us as we return to the wider world.

Peace,
Barbara Horn

©2002 by Barbara Horn. All rights reserved. Distribution via e-mail, disk, print, or any other form is prohibited under U.S. copyright law without express permission of the author.