Full of Grace - Code Blue

Code Blue is an emergency shelter serving homeless people in my area for when extreme winter weather hits.  And where I live, it hits often.

Recently a woman who runs an art gallery nearby asked artists to submit a piece of art focusing on the color of blue as a fundraiser for the Code Blue shelter.   There was a two week deadline.  As the newspapers reported “the response was amazing. More than 100 people submitted projects to the gallery.”  

On Saturday I attended the opening at the invitation of one of the artists.   There was no charge, but visitors were encouraged to bring a donation to help homeless persons like thermal clothing, sweatshirts, sweatpants and/or cleaning supplies.  The organizers had set up an 8 ft. table to accept donations and after the first half hour the table was no longer visible and the organizers were scrambling to find space to store all the donations. The coffee can for monetary gifts was overstuffed and someone was searching for something larger to use.  I was unable to stay very long because the galleries were so crowded that claustrophobic me had to get some air.  The response really was overwhelming.

These days we seem to be barraged with truly horrific news, day in and day out.  There are times when I wonder if humanity will survive another generation.  How can people be so cruel one another? It can, and sometimes does, drag me into a deep depression. 

Which I why I am so grateful that there are so many more people who (unfortunately) you rarely hear about, that organize events like these, who give more than they can afford to others, who share their time and their talents to help people they will never meet and who will never be able to thank them.  

These people restore my faith in humanity.

Love is powerful and love is strong.  Love wins.   

I was thrilled to meet a photographer, Jacqueline Donnelly.   This was her submission, one of my favorite places to backpack to and sleep under the stars. I am very grateful there are still protected places like this that restore my soul.