Thoughts on Mississippi - Marcia Zeigler

Thoughts on Mississippi

I sat down on Sunday to write some thoughts on our trip but then I read Jessica’s eloquent letter to Mrs. Swearingen and somehow I just couldn’t compete with that so I will now try again.

It has been over two weeks now since we have returned from our mission trip. I guess my best description of how I have felt these past two weeks is unsettled. It has been very hard to fall back into a routine. I also at first experienced the extreme exhaustion as many have mentioned. It made me think of the people affected by Katrina and question how they even manage to get out of bed each day. I know in speaking with Cindy (Mrs. Swearingen’s daughter) that she said she would love to have one day to forget and just relax, but she was so afraid that then she would want another day and another. And there is just too much to do.

I guess a major frustration since returning is trying to make others understand the severity of things in the South. So many say “wow that must have been something” but they don’t truly understand. They are more interested in car repairs, hassles at work, broken nails and everyday life. I guess the same life so many of us led before February 12. But now those things just seem so trivial. Tom is right when he says that although we had an extremely successful week it is just a pinpoint of what needs to be done. It is difficult each day now to think of all the people we met and not constantly wonder what progress they have made, whether others have continued to give them hope. I do feel so fortunate to have shared this experience with four members of my family. I would imagine it could be frustrating to have gone alone and to have to explain to even closest family members.

I spent my entire 4 days at the Swearingen home. Although I thought about moving around to other locations as many of you know I have a real fondness for older adults. Tom told me that Sunday that I was really going to like where we would be on Monday. And then he told me Mrs. Swearingen was deaf. I love to hear the stories that seniors tell. We have a tendency to often make them feel that they don’t matter, when truly they are a wealth of knowledge, history and fascinating tales. I was frustrated to think that I wasn’t going to be able to communicate with Mrs. S. I didn’t realize until later in the week how uncertain and nervous they were with our presence that first day. I watched as Cindy and Mrs. S. tried to move things and be of assistance. Mrs. S. got tangled in some cords and fell on the front walk and I rushed to help her. I began to realize then that it was possible to read so much from her face. She looked so distraught, and angry when Cindy told her that was enough and she was going inside. Of course they appeared again later so I guess Mrs. S. got her way. But as Cindy explained to us at dinner that Thursday her mother seemed to be transformed the week of our visit. As I was painting the shed on Thursday and I came around the corner to see Mrs. S. roller in hand, painting the far side of the shed, it just filled my heart with joy. She looked so happy at that moment and she was so pleased with herself to be helping. At least for an afternoon I felt like some of her struggles didn’t weigh so heavy on her shoulders. That night at dinner I was fortunate enough to sit beside Mrs. S. We had a wonderful evening together without speaking a word. She is a remarkable woman to have raised three children without ever hearing their cries and laughter. I feel so blessed to have met her and to have shared at least a few days of her life with her.

God was with us in so many ways that week in Mississippi. He showed the amazing goodness in the people like Susan, Ed, Joeline and the others who worked day in and day out to make a difference with all those who needed help and to coordinate groups like ours. From Mary who drove us around that first Monday to see the devastation, to those who prepared the wonderful meal for us on Wednesday and finally the cleaning lady who I chatted with on Friday. They all expressed how blessed they are and I realized that my life will never be quite the same since I have met them. We had an amazing group representing us from First Presbyterian of Pottstown. It was an honor to share the week with each and every one of those who went. I hope many of us will get to go back again. We all know there is much to be done.


Marcia Zeigler