When
introduced in the seventh grade to the story of Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond
Rostand, I have to admit I was most interested in the description of the
character’s gross nose. But I also responded to the 19th century setting and,
of course, the love story, in particular the character’s willingness to be used
as a bridge for love despite his own interests.
Recently,
while having lunch with my friend Wendy, she shared a story about her father,
one that reminded me of the lesson I learned from reading Cyrano de Bergerac.
Wendy’s
father, Kalmon Waxman, graduated from college with a degree in bacteriology
just before America entered World War II. Like many young men of his day, after
marrying his local sweetheart he enlisted in the army. He was sent from his
home in New England to basic training in Georgia.
When
the doctor-to-be was placed on ammunition detail, he told his sergeant that
this assignment did not use his greatest skill and asked to be transferred to
the medical unit. When the sergeant wouldn’t listen, Mr. Waxman began
volunteering at the base hospital on his days off. Once there, his talent as a
doctor was recognized and his transfer papers came through. Soon however, his
skills were needed in the Pacific campaign and he was relocated to the Aleutian
Islands of Alaska where the United States forces were trying to eject the
Japanese from the island chain.
Far
away from home, Mr. Waxman took solace in writing letters to his new bride. His
fellow soldiers noticed and asked if after he finished writing he would read to
them the letters they had received from home. These solider were illiterate and
their love letters had actually become a source of shame due to their inability
to decipher the words penned on the carefully folded pages.
Soon
word spread around the base of Mr. Waxman’s willingness to read. More and more
men asked him to read their letters and then urged him to help write their
loved ones back. The number of illiterate soldiers surprised Mr. Waxman and
although his free time was limited, he responded to all requests, acting as a
bridge between the soldiers and those on the homefront worrying about their
safety. During Mr. Waxman’s tour he wrote and read hundreds of letters for his
fellow enlisted soldiers.
I
was so impressed with this story that later in the evening I shared it with
another friend whose six-year-old child was playing close by. When I finished
the story the daughter stopped playing, looked up at me and asked why the
soldiers didn’t just Skype.
Funny
as her perspective was, it made me consider the possibilities of our new
technology to be used as a bridge for love, particularly on Valentine’s Day.
Other than the obvious dating sites there are so many other sites that deserve
our attention. Here are a few of my favorites.
For
many years I have been a USO volunteer but recently when I wanted to continue
to assist the troops but found no USO office nearby, I turned to the web. There
I found many sites that allowed me to still support deployed troops and their
families. One such site is anysolider.com. This volunteer organization helps
send letters and packages to soldiers who, for whatever reason, do not receive
any mail or packages from home.
My
dear friend and her family who are experiencing a health-related crisis have
turned to two Web sites for help, both of which are free. Caringbridge.org
helps simplify the massive amounts of communication often necessary when in
crisis. The site becomes a home base of sorts for postings for all parties so
friends and loved ones can keep track of one’s health-related journey and
respond with messages of their own. Lotsofhelpinghands.com is a calendar
program that allows one to post whatever needs they have during the months in
crisis and friends can visit the site and sign up to help as their schedules
allow.
The
mission of Heifer International (heifer.org) is to end poverty and hunger in a
sustainable fashion. The organization allows a person to give through monetary
contributions the gifts of livestock, seeds, trees and training to those in
need around the world. The Web site is user friendly, upbeat and suitable for
children too. It has colorful pictures and explains how a family in another
country will use the gift.
For
those who are less cyber-focused, there are still many opportunities on-Island
for spreading Valentine’s Day love to a wider reach than just a sweetheart. One
example is donating food or time to the many community suppers occurring each
week. Each of these suppers often feeds 80 to 100 Vineyarders a night. Portions
of the meals are donated by local stores such as the Black Dog and Stop and
Shop, but the heart of the suppers is the local community members who
volunteer, coordinate the donations, cook the meals, provide the side dishes
and serve.
Valentine’s
Day celebrates the gift of love. However, there is no reason this has to be a
private affair between couples. As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot
change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many
ripples.”
Sharon Frances Moore is a former
President, Executive Director, advisor to non-profits, Board of Directors, and
organizations as it pertains to event planning, fundraising, community
engagement, labor and public relations and legal matters: University of
Maryland New York Chapter, University of Maryland Scholarship Committee, City
of National City Association, Tribeca Organization, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.,
Owens Corning, U.S. Senate; Network for Women, Hospice; Boys & Girls Club,
various New York City theater groups, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian
Church, Republican National Committee RNC, Democratic National Committee DNC,
S.E.I.U., SEIU unions, City of National City
