for p.

standing under the magnolia tree

+ + + +

i don't know who you are. i don't know how old you are, or what you do for a living. i don't know whether you are male or female, black or white, jew or gentile.

i do know you read my blog. i also know you live in the united states. i only know that because the letter that landed on my desk from you today had united states' stamps on the envelope.

your letter read:

i have read your blog for a while and have enjoyed it. from your passion for cricket to your joy in spring's arrival to your enthusiasm for life. i know it's bad form to contact someone in real life. but i thought you'd know of a good / reputable charity to help with the earthquake recovery. we had so many scandals with the one in haiti. i wonder if you "sensed" the earthquake was coming even if it was so far away. thank you for your inspiration. p.

included with your letter were three $50 united states' notes.

p, i barely know what to say. "thank you" is a good start - thank you for your generosity, thank you for your kind words, thank you for trusting me to donate your money, thank you for caring about suffering people on the far side of the world.

this friday, whanganui is holding an appeal for the earthquake victims. i want you to know your money will be given to that appeal, along with NZ$100 of my own money, making a total of around NZ$300. the entire amount raised by whanganui people will be handed directly to the mayor of christchurch by one of our district councillors.

p, whoever and wherever you are - thank you.

[you might also get a mention in our newspaper some time!]