Jersey City, NJ...My Last Night in New Jersey.
Dear Friends 1/19/11
I walked from Elizabeth to Jersey City in the rain this morning. I had an auspicious meeting as I entered Newark, with kind and generous men at a diner. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the diner. I asked if I could use the restroom and they kindly said yes. As I was walking back to the restroom a man approached me and asked me for a dollar. I didn't have much money on me but I had enough to share a dollar. When I returned from the restroom I told the folks who worked in the diner and some of their customers about Jada and the walk. They were all very impressed and wanted to help me. They were especially moved by my gift of a dollar to a man in need...in turn they gathered $60.00 in donations for the Jada Bascom Foundation. It was very generous and very moving!
I continued through Newark. Just before the two bridges, Passaic and Hackensack, I met a Jersey Department of Transportation Officer. He said it would be a treacherous walk over the bridges because the snow had not been cleared. And it was! The snow in some places was hard, crusty and slippery. In other places deep and soft with my feet sinking down. It was hard work walking through the ice and the snow for such a long distance. It was one of the most challenging walks I've had in a long time.
But I had my first glimpse of New york City from the bridge going over the Passaic River!
It was good to know that I had a place to stay for the night especially on this difficult walking day. When I stayed with the Hennessey's in Bridgewater, NJ their house guest, Martha, contacted the Sisters of Christian Charity at the St. Nicholas Convent in Jersey City about the Steps to-Marrow project and my need for housing in Jersey city. They generously invited me to stay. When I arrived I met Sister Joann Marie, Sister Ellen, Sister Joanne and Sister Felice. We shared a wonderful evening together. Sister Ellen made Beef Stroganoff and salad. The Sisters asked many questions about my journey and I was able to share many stories and highlight how important it is and how easy it is to join the Be The Match Registry. I was blessed to be able to join the Sisters for their evening prayers. And we had brownies for dessert!
I walked from Elizabeth to Jersey City in the rain this morning. I had an auspicious meeting as I entered Newark, with kind and generous men at a diner. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the diner. I asked if I could use the restroom and they kindly said yes. As I was walking back to the restroom a man approached me and asked me for a dollar. I didn't have much money on me but I had enough to share a dollar. When I returned from the restroom I told the folks who worked in the diner and some of their customers about Jada and the walk. They were all very impressed and wanted to help me. They were especially moved by my gift of a dollar to a man in need...in turn they gathered $60.00 in donations for the Jada Bascom Foundation. It was very generous and very moving!
I continued through Newark. Just before the two bridges, Passaic and Hackensack, I met a Jersey Department of Transportation Officer. He said it would be a treacherous walk over the bridges because the snow had not been cleared. And it was! The snow in some places was hard, crusty and slippery. In other places deep and soft with my feet sinking down. It was hard work walking through the ice and the snow for such a long distance. It was one of the most challenging walks I've had in a long time.
But I had my first glimpse of New york City from the bridge going over the Passaic River!
It was good to know that I had a place to stay for the night especially on this difficult walking day. When I stayed with the Hennessey's in Bridgewater, NJ their house guest, Martha, contacted the Sisters of Christian Charity at the St. Nicholas Convent in Jersey City about the Steps to-Marrow project and my need for housing in Jersey city. They generously invited me to stay. When I arrived I met Sister Joann Marie, Sister Ellen, Sister Joanne and Sister Felice. We shared a wonderful evening together. Sister Ellen made Beef Stroganoff and salad. The Sisters asked many questions about my journey and I was able to share many stories and highlight how important it is and how easy it is to join the Be The Match Registry. I was blessed to be able to join the Sisters for their evening prayers. And we had brownies for dessert!