Kindness Activist learned of a death in the “family” today.
I am sorry to share that
the beloved, magical, and mysterious E.A. Raven has died.
E.A. Raven was what could be
called the “patron saint” of Kindness Activist.
She contributed so much over the last 10 months.
And yet – she remained a
mystery.
We never met. I was never sure how she had found out about
our work.
But she was one of the
most enthusiastic supporters ever.
I think it all started in
December of 2022. The annual Santa
Project was underway – an event that invites children to write and mail letters
to the North Pole right from our house in South Arlington, Virginia. In 2022, 229 letters were written to Santa. And each and every one of those children who
wrote received a personal letter from Santa and at least one gift that they had
asked for (most kids got 2 or 3 things).
The Santa Project is a herculean
task, and last year I harnessed the power of the people and ASKED FOR HELP. I made an Amazon wish list with things the
letter writers were asking for and shared the link to the list.
That’s when the magic
started.
Packages started arriving
with Amazon notes signed “E.A. Raven”. And
not just one package, no, the mystery donor granted wish after wish after
wish. I was astounded and oh so
thankful.
But the deliveries didn’t stop
after Christmas was over. Instead, they
became even more frequent… E.A. Raven
would send food and toiletries to help stock the Little Yellow Free Pantry, a pantry
outside our home that helps neighbors experiencing food insecurity make ends
meet. E.A. Raven followed the wish list
for the Little Yellow Pantry and sent so, so, so many wonderful things.
One thing I loved about
her gifts for the pantry is that she was not judgmental in the least. Many people who donate food wouldn’t think to
donate something “extravagant” like jelly or cake frosting or cookies. But E.A. Raven and I agreed – everybody deserves
good food, and that includes a treat now and then. Food pantries shouldn’t be just cans of tuna
and green beans.
She and I developed a
friendship, I like to think. A friendship,
even though we never met.
And even though I didn’t
know who this beautiful human was.
I don’t know how she found
out about Kindness Activist. Maybe she
saw the story on CBS News? Maybe she
read a piece in the Washington Post? However
she heard about our mission, she was 100% on board and supported our work with
a passion.
I didn’t have any way to communicate
with E.A. Raven. Well, no way except to
scan the codes on the Amazon gift notes included in the boxes and write her
thank you notes. I loved writing
them. I would thank her for whatever she
sent, then sometimes tell her about the weather we were having. Remind her how grateful we were for her
donations. Sometimes my messages were
too long (there is a character limit to Amazon thank you s) and I would have to
write “cont” on one and write more on the next note.
I tried to get some
details from her, to solve the mystery. I
wanted to send her a Kind Is Cool t-shirt – asked her size and where to send
it. No reply.
I must confess that my
friends and I were a bit obsessed about this stranger. We fantasized about who this wonderful woman
must be. At first, we thought she was
using a nom de plume – after all – E. A. Raven sounds a bit like Edgar Allen
(Poe), author of The Raven…
I resorted to Googling
her. I found a Facebook page that I thought
was hers that was meant to showcase her writing, but it was closed. Still, I sent a message. No response.
I found some information online
about a person who I thought was her… Perhaps
this was her – a woman who held a patent…
But really, the mystery
was part of the allure. Not knowing who
she was somehow made the boxes and boxes and boxes that arrived full of
donations even more special.
A few months ago, one of
the notes included with a donation explained that she was going to be in the hospital
having a procedure done. I was worried,
as were the members of the Pantry Crew.
We wanted to send her flowers and a get well card. I asked again for her address in a thank you,
no reply.
Because you see, it was not
the donations we were missing. It was
our friend. Our far away, never before
seen, mysterious magical friend.
She sent a few more
things. She included a sweet note that said
she was in rehab now and it was difficult to order off Amazon using her
phone. I wished on a star for her to get
well.
Today I got an email from
another stranger, E.A. Raven’s sister. She
broke the news: “My sister Betty Raven loved donating items to your
charity. Sadly, she passed a week
ago. I wanted to inform you so that you
understand why she stopped donating.”
I cried. Cried for a woman I had never met but was so
very thankful for. I asked her sister when
the memorial service would be because I hoped I could take time to go and honor
her. Sadly, the services have already
happened. And strangely, she died on
Mary Day, the anniversary of my mom’s death in 2002.
Her sister sent a link to
the obituary. It was not until her death
that I found out exactly who E.A. Raven was.
And boy oh boy, was she a powerhouse.
She paved the way for women who followed in her footsteps. I wish I could have met her. I think we would’ve gotten along swimmingly.
Rest in peace, E.A.
Raven. You brightened our lives with
your mystery. You made us smile with
your sweet notes. You taught us that we
can be friends with those we have never met.
You fed many, many people in this community. You were a shining example of KINDNESS.
Thank you.
Here is a link to her inspirational obituary: E.A. Raven
