Why Joplin?

"May there always be work for your hands to do, may your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

- Irish Blessing

Surprisingly, this past week someone posed this question to me. I had so many reasons why but one had to do with a promise I made over 15 years ago. The fall of 1996 was my sophomore year at John Brown University. After struggling through my freshman year in a major I hated but had chosen to make other people happy, I came back with a new major in science. There were also new people on my floor on the "new" side of Mayfield dorm. There were so many new people that year that once again people were crammed three to a room. Kitty corner to my room was a room full of freshmen: Sarah from Webb City, Eleanor from Florida, and Patty from Joplin. From the first day that I met her, I knew that Patty would be my best friend.

We had so much in common: I was adopted, she had adopted siblings. We both were in science and we were both lifeguards. We both had a huge dislike for someone with the initials of JS and we also were pretty independent and straightforward with people. I have always appreciated her honesty. Perhaps the most honest she ever was with me was when she told me point blank that no one liked me because I walked around with a po'd look on my face and that she didn't like my boyfriend (and future ex husband) because he made me cry all the time. I listened to her, for the most part, and to my credit she informed me that I "scandalized and corrupted her"- which was good because she was uptight.

I introduced her to her first college boyfriend and she stood up for me in my first wedding in a dress that she couldn't sit down in. I moved away to finish school in ND and she stayed and graduated in 1999. But in between that time, I spent weekends with her and her huge family in Joplin. They always treated me like another part of the family which being away from home, I appreciated. At one point we made a promise that we would always remain friends no matter what. The last time I saw her was in 1999 when she was going through a rough time in life (as I was too). And for both of us, things actually became worse for a time.

In 2003, my first marriage ended. I was trying to not worry her so I didn't say anything and secluded myself. I finally called her parents to get her number and told her what happened. She was supportive and so we started talking again. Unfortunately I had a boyfriend that kept me from friends and family and I didn't talk to her again until 2006... Since then we have kept in touch. She opened a boutique and I was so proud if her. Her daughter was born and I was so excited for her since we had two children so close in age.

Fast forward to May 22, 2011... I was frantic to find out if her family was safe. I was relieved to hear they were ok but I could tell she was hurt. So I kept my promise. I stuck by her... I did what she did for me so many years ago and stood by her. I also was raised to help where I am needed and to have a servant's heart. Good old Midwest values and state pride as well as love of God and Country are things that we are taught in Missouri. It only made sense to support her, her hometown, and to do what I could. I wish I could have done more. All in all, it is because I love her and her friendship and support has meant the World to me. So my reason for going to Joplin was to keep a promise and do what I could to lighten her load and support her in her efforts to help her hometown. So that is why Joplin...