This is a letter I sent the editor at the Muncie Star Press. I’m not sure if it will end up in print, but I wanted to share it with you. In my oppinion, we at thegathering are understanding the power of what God can do through each one of us becoming all he created us to be……
To the editor,
This week I had the unique experience of attending two very special and inspiring events.
On Tuesday, I attended the Star Press PERSON OF THE YEAR celebration where 10 individuals were recognized for incredible contribution to our community. Each nominee had gone above and beyond in their service to the Muncie area and each had enormous heart for this, their hometown. The winner, Donna Bookout, was honored for more than 40 years of volunteerism and service in the Muncie area. Even while fighting breast cancer, she never stopped volunteering and serving us, her neighbors.
On Friday, I was honored to attend the grand opening of the South Tower of Ball Memorial Hospital. Again, standing in a crowd of people who had helped make this dream a reality, I was struck by the extreme level of commitment and heart given, not for oneself, but for the greater good of our city. The words rang over and over, “Muncie deserves the best”. As works of art made by local artists were unveiled and honors awarded to local leaders and volunteers, I could not help but feel empowered.
Before my very eyes were enormous and beautiful displays of proof that one person can make an important and lasting impact. If I have ever doubted the power of “just one” it surely has been diminished by these evidences. Just one volunteer can touch hundreds of families. Just one artist can bring beauty and meaning to a lobby. Just one ambitious dreamer can give people keys to a home, a fairy-tale prom dress, a hot meal, a friend. Just one.
I am just one. You are just one. But I am sure that we can have impact on this place we call home. If we would dare to stop sitting, if we are brave enough to believe, and if we are strong enough to stand against many who would rather complain, than we will make a difference and our home will be better because of it.
There are some who are choosing to move outside of the Muncie-area. They have the blessing of good jobs here, but they do not see the beauty and possibility in this place. I hope that those who are already adding to the beauty of our hometown will continue to do so, even when it’s lonely, frustrating, and just plain hard work. I hope that the rest of us will follow in your example.
I am just one. I am proud to call Muncie home. I am ready to lend a hand, help a neighbor, donate food, give of my time, talent, and money to make Muncie all God knows it can be. Please join me.
Your friend and neighbor,
Jennifer Stanley
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
wow jennifer! very inspiring. you should write an opinion piece for the paper! seriously. i loved it.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Every day I look around our city and I am filled with what I describe as “mere hope.” Mere because it is the bottom limit of what we should expect, not in the sense that it is little. Our expectations, or hope, for our city should be vast. Imagine a place where everyone understood the power they owned to make a difference. Oh that we would wake up more and more to the possibilities locked inside each and every one of us!
Jennifer, thank you for reminding us to wake up a little more.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
greater things have yet to come, greater things are soon to be done in this city.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I love Muncie and there will always be a special place in my heart for that community. I’m a Ball State grad and many Muncie memories were some of the best of my life so far.