Easin’ Along has been on the sidelines for a few weeks. Helen and I returned home in April after a road trip to California…then let other events in our busy lives drive us forward. I’ll give a summary in the paragraphs below.
After returning home, we discovered a broken leaf spring on the passenger side of our fifth-wheel trailer and one of our slides needed repair. Dora is now in the shop and waiting for parts that won’t arrive until late July. Helen continues to receive treatments for breast cancer and is doing very well. She underwent surgery in May and is on the mend. Her doctors tell her that she will completely recover and that the treatments will end in a few weeks.
While we were away, my brother and my sister moved my mom into a nursing facility and moved her furniture into my garage. Mom is doing exceptionally well, but my garage pleaded for a better arrangement. Some friends took a few pieces of furniture into their consignment shop, and hopefully, buyers will emerge. A neighbor picked up a piece for her grandson. The remaining pieces of furniture still needed a home until this week when a ball bounced our way.
A friend in Helen’s pottery group mentioned that a group of ladies from a foreign country was moving to Knoxville and needed furniture and household appliances to help them settle. Helen reached out to the lady leading the effort. She accepted our offer of furniture and provided some details about the recipients–members of the Afghan Women’s Basketball Team.
When the United States departed Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban took over the country and immediately denied women the right to an education and to play sports. With the swift assistance of some International Rescue groups, members of the Women’s Team were led out of the country with nothing more than a backpack and temporarily settled in Albania. Efforts continued to find a permanent home for the athletes until word reached Sarah Hillyer, a faculty member at the University of Tennessee. Sarah and Michelle Marciniak, a former star basketball player under the legendary Pat Summitt, traveled to Albania to meet with the team and offer help.
Mindful that Pat Summitt’s life focused intently on education and basketball, Sarah and Michelle felt that there was no better place for the team to settle than Knoxville, where they could further their education at the University and live in freedom in one of the most livable places on earth. (For more on the story, click here).
Two of the ladies have arrived and moved into apartments. The rest of the team will come soon. Much is needed to help them during the early days in their new home.
Last week, Michelle and another volunteer arrived in a large truck to pick up our furniture. I remembered Michelle from her time as a Tennessee Volunteer and her performances in winning two National Championships under Coach Summit. I could have chatted with her all morning about basketball and the Afghan Team project, but our pick-up was just one of many, and they had to keep moving.
They loaded the furniture without our help. I jokingly commented to Michelle as she lifted a desk effortlessly that she was “tough.” She replied, “I had to be to play for Pat Summit.”
Helen also added a smattering of household appliances like an air fryer, a toaster, and a blender to the collection. They posed for pictures, we exchanged thanks and well-wishes, and they were off to help another downsizing household and some deserving women.
We got our garage back and felt great doing so. We’re Easin’ Along.
I LOVE this story. You could not have a better result.
I’m glad to hear that Helen is doing so well. Now if you can just get Dora back in shape!!
Hey, Ann,
We were thrilled to find a good home for Mom’s stuff. Dora is going to need some rehab tho’. Great to hear from you. Joe
What an inspiring story! I know Helen is happy her furniture went to such deserving ladies!
Carolyn,
Mom was very reluctant to part with her furniture, but it had to happen. She was glad that some of it was put to a good cause. Have a great week! Joe
Joe, that is a wonderful, heartwarming story! So many good things…. your mom is happy in her new place, Helen is doing well, your furniture and household donations are helping young women get a new start in life, and you reclaimed your garage! Glad to hear that you guys are doing so well. I’m betting you already have a trip planned this summer when Dora returns from the shop.
Good morning, Laurel,
So far, the summer has started well, but I want to go camping so badly I can taste it. We’re going to cruise up to the Outer Banks in August and September…come join us! Thanks for checking in! Joe
Hi, Joe – That is wonderful that your mother’s furniture can go to such great use. And soooo amazing that the women’s team was able to be relocated to Knoxville. I am incredibly grateful for the people in our world who make great things happen like that!
Hi, Donna,
Everything came through–thanks for stopping by. Bringing the Afghan Basketball Team to Knoxville required a huge amount of work and coordination. I think they are coming to the right place. East Tennesseans are so welcoming and the University will treat them well. I understand that these ladies are highly educated and that some will work toward doctorates while here. Have a great week! Joe
This is so heartwarming to read, Joe! Glad Helen is enjoying a complete recovery, I thank God for His mercies. I just love this story of the Afghan women’s team relocating to Tennessee and that you could share your mom’s furniture with them. It just doesn’t get much better than this–you made my day. Here’s hoping the RV gets fixed quickly and you can be off again later!
Good afternoon, Terri,
The story keeps getting better. Since the post went up this morning, I have had several readers contact me to ask for contact information of the sponsors so that they can donate furniture and appliances. Hopefully, we can get these ladies settled and welcome them to the city. Thanks for checking in, and have a great week. Joe
That is so kind and generous of you and your family. It is a wonderful thing that they can now live in freedom without threat to life. Your generosity is well directed. some of those pieces look like antiques, I’m sure that they will be loved. After all, we all probably have too much!!
Christina,
You’re correct, some of the pieces are antiques, and my Mom enjoyed them, but she is happy to know that someone else will enjoy them as well. Thanks for stopping by. I’m guessing that your weather is great out there right now. Enjoy! Joe
So happy to hear that Helen is doing well, and that she has received such an uplifting prognosis from her doctors! I’m sure you’ll both be thrilled to have this rough patch in your rearview mirror. Thank you for sharing this encouraging and inspiring story about these brave women who left everything behind to pursue their freedom and their dreams. After reading day in and day out about human beings inflicting pain and suffering on each other, seeing your dedicated volunteers working so selflessly for others restores a little bit of my faith in human nature. Sending heartfelt get well wishes to Dora!
Good morning Mary!
All’s well here (except for Dora), and we’re thrilled to find such a good use for my Mom’s furniture. These deserving ladies will be a welcome addition to Knoxville, and everyone is working hard to make them comfortable and help them further their education. Great to hear from you! Enjoy the rest of your week. Joe
Joe, I’m glad to hear Helen and your Mom are doing well. Your downsizing story is heart-warming and what a win-win situation to have your mom’s furniture go to people who need them. Incredible efforts from Sarah, Michelle and the community to help the Afghan’s Women Basketball team to settle in Knoxville.
Good morning, Natalie,
It was a joy to help these very deserving ladies, and I feel certain that they will be welcomed here with open arms, by fellow Knoxvillians. I understand that there are still several more members of the team to arrive soon to begin their studies at the University of Tennessee–something they were denied in their country. It’s a great story. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great weekend. Joe