Let's Get Roxanne Back Home

Roxanne is one of those special "people collectors" that we are blessed to know! If you don't think so, just check out her Facebook friend list. I've known Roxanne since she and my daughter Susan were friends in high school and there isn't enough space here to recount all of fun (and mischief) they got into. They remained BEST friends and she was right there for Susan until the very end. Roxanne even conceived the idea and plan to take a very weak Susan to Cancun and financed the project. That trip was one of the bright spots in Susan's last years and for Roxanne, it was a perfect PAY-IT-FOWARD opportunity. Even now, Roxanne is a committed friend and is determined to complete Susan's bucket list for her. Needless to say, Roxanne is a forever friend who has been there for a lot of us through thick and thin.

Many of you know Roxanne's story and how life threw many, difficult curve balls at her. And yet, she fought back with her typical resilience. Oh, there was work to do sometimes to get the resolve and determination (and the smile) back. But work she did. And.....she single-handedly raised two amazing kids, ran a successful business and took gorgeous photos of countless weddings and special occasions. Photos many of us cherish today.

Nearly four years ago, Roxanne took life by the horns and not only decided to fulfill a lifelong goal - she did it. She took herself, her family, and her possessions to Arizona and found a new life. There, in the foothills of Sedona, among the beauty of red rocks and cacti, Roxanne rediscovered her truths and herself. And that truth would ultimately lead her home, back home, Waldo County, Maine home. Back to her family, her friends, and her roots. You see, some journeys and adventures are for a season and others are for a lifetime. And as Roxanne healed in that Arizona landscape, she learned that this journey was for a reason as well as a season. The reason was life lessons that could only be learned there, independently, alone. It's now time for another season. And it is our turn to PAY-IT-FOWARD and send Roxanne home.

If there is wisdom in the counsel of many, there is strength in many shoulders set to the task. The good news is that for those of us who have asked "what can we do to help" here is the solution! Now, will you help? No one has extra money laying around but all of us can spare something and will never miss it. And if we all lend a hand, we can send Roxanne home.

I can tell you that as someone who has benefited from random acts of kindness, they bring blessings that cannot be explained. I can also tell you that as someone who has participated in random acts of kindness, they bring greater blessings that cannot be explained either! Let's send Roxanne home!!!