thirteen cents
If you are reading this, there is a fair chance you follow me on Twitter, or have been reading my series of Podcast Reviews. If either of those are true, thank you.
However, if either of those are true, you’ve also more than likely heard of the tragedy that has struck one of the founders of podio fiction.
Tee Morris, author of the Morevi and Billibub Baddings series, as well as the non fiction Podcasting for Dummies, Advanced Podcasting for Dummies, All a Twitter, and Teach Yourself Twitter in Ten Minutes lost his wife this week, leaving Tee to be the sole provider for his 5 year old daughter, affectionately known as Sonic Boom.
In an effort to alleviate some of the financial strain, the podcasting community has come together in an effort to not only take care of short term expenses but to set up a trust for Sonic Boom.
Tee never asked for a thing, and I would not at all be surprised if he had been asked before hand, he would have declined the help. Tee is just that kind of guy. Tee helps. I’ve never met a less selfish man.
WIthin 24 hours of the tragedy being known, Tee’s good friend and co-author, Philippa Ballantine created a Chip In option for people to donate to these expenses. The response has been extensive. Within the first 36 hours, the total had exceeded 10,000. That amount has continued to grow. An internet auction is now being setup to take place at the end of Feburary with the proceeds to be put in the trust being created for Sonic Boom.
All of the aforementioned information you probably seen before.
I have been keeping up on the total being collected at the ChipIn site. I am very excited and overwhelmed by the love and support that has been being shown here, and I seriously hope it doesn’t end anytime soon. However, as I’ve repetitively clicked refresh, one thing has been interesting to notice.
Someone donated in the amount of $x.13. Thirteen cents? Why would anyone donate thirteen cents?
This gave me pause for a bit, and it has been something that has been in the back of my mine since I noticed.
And this is what has come of that rumination.
No one donates thirteen cents that doesn’t have to. There is no reason to. Most would automatically give a dollar amount, and most of us would even give an even dollar amount ending in a 5 or a 10. So, for a person to donate $x.13, this person had to have been giving what they could, not just what they wanted to, but everything they could.
When I thought of it this way, it choked me up. It is easy to take of our families and those that are near to us. It is also easy to make cyber-friends that you can “drop” or “unfollow”. What isn’t easy is to give what you can.
I know there are other explanations. I’ve thought of others myself, in fact some might be more logical. But this isn’t a time for logic. This is a time to feel. To reach out your hand because you can.
I thank each one of you that have blogged, podcast, and donated to Tee and Sonic Boom this week. What I ask of you is simply this, don’t stop. Do what you can.
Do you want to donate to the auction? Submit your proposal to donations@theboomeffect.org.
Want to view and bid on some of the items? http://theboomeffect.org.
Want to Chip In? http://teeandserena.chipin.com/tee-and-sonic-boom
The sense of community I’ve seen on Twitter this week puts to shame my local community, and I am proud to be a part of it. Thank you for all you are doing.
View from Valhalla 