Dear Aunt Pearl,
I hope that when you read the title of my letter to you that you were humming along with…“that’s the story of, that’s the glory of Love…”Because that is the real truth behind what I am doing…I love what I am doing, even when it’s hard.
And here is what I mean by that: if you’ve been following along, you know that I was speaking to a local women’s philanthropy group about my nonprofit, in the hopes of gaining not just their favorable support, but the financial support the group offers, you know, to make this dream of Murrieta’s first cultural arts center come to life. Not that I was ((entirely)) dependent on securing it, but if there’s anything I learned from you, that is to be painfully optimistic.
And so I donned a wedding dress (no joke, see pic above) and spoke my truth as best as I could in the five short minutes I had to persuade their hearts to move not mountains, merely a train. And yet, when up against two other local nonprofits with missions that tug ((even harder)) at heartstrings, it was by a painful – but not entirely unexpected – fate that dear Pearl, we did not take home the money. We must wait (a bit) longer to move our train.
However, as weird fate be told, before I lost all the money that was never mine to begin with (other than in wistful hopes and phone calls to earth movers and crane operators, again not joking) I was given a most joyful news that should not be overshadowed by the night’s epic failure, I mean sad (to me) circumstance. And so, with great honor and esteem I gained the early knowledge that we, Pearl, were awarded a $1,000 grant from the local Temecula Valley Historical Society, with the opportunity to continue to seek more funds for historical and cultural arts program support. This is BIG news, and super exciting!!!!
This award means so much more than just the monetary value of its sum. What it means to me personally, Pearl, is that someone believes in me, in us, and this mission. We will climb the hill, slowly but surely, and get the support of those who are right here in the front lines welcoming us with open arms and a big smile! (You know who you are my dear friend!)
And so, bruised egos heal, and support grows. And every day I am grateful to be alive and doing something meaningful in your honor. Oh! and before I forget, I launched our “early bird tickets” for the tea party fundraiser, it’s going to be a spooktacular affair, and here before you know it! Can’t wait for all the details this theme brings, and you will have to be there to experience it all!
Your loving niece,
Aimee
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