your LETTERS
RADIATING Light In a world of algorithms,
P.E.O. Kindness Caravan I answered a knock at my door to find a smiling P.E.O. holding a huge neon pink sign stating, ‘“Congratulations for completing treatments!” There on my lawn stood seven P.E.O. sisters with cowbells, signs and an air horn all yelling, “Congratulations!” The P.E.O. sisters of Chapter MF in Council Bluffs, Iowa, were there to share in the joy of my completed breast cancer treatments. These sisters had supported me through eight months of breast cancer surgery, chemo and subsequent radiation. Chapter MF members sent me cards and called me. Hearing from other sisters who had faced cancer and won gave me encouragement and helped calm my fears about unknown tests and procedures. Other sisters still battling the disease with courage while living vital lives gave me hope with their examples of strength. My sisters brought me meals and made trips to the store for groceries and other needed items for me. Amid all my medical and radiology protocols, my P.E.O. sisters kept the cards and calls coming as my healing continued. The Kindness Caravan (the actual caravan of cars of cheering sisters) was the topper! My sisters had brought the celebration and gave me permission to rejoice in my healing. It is difficult to rejoice alone, so much easier to do within the bonds of sisterhood. How perfect that the theme that our chapter chose for our yearbook was “A Kaleidoscope of Kindness.” Kindness was the thread that ran through the planned programs. COVID-19 may have stopped some of the programs, but it did not stop the kindness of my P.E.O. sisters. — Irene Brucker, MF, Council Bluffs, Iowa
hashtags and followers, it is essential to recognize the true importance of human connection. P.E.O. sisters all over the world, renowned for their joy in gathering, sharing and giving, lamented about missing those sister connections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the true spirit of sisterhood, many have come to realize that connecting heart and spirit can be done across many miles…no password required! Sometimes, that which we get most disgruntled about can turn into something quite magical. As Minnesota Chapter EQ halted in-person gatherings in the spring of 2020, planning for the next months needed imagination. A new word “zoomed’ into our consciousness, as we traded “face to face” for “gallery view” on Zoom. A tool was illuminated in the P.E.O. Objects and Aims, supporting our desire to “seek growth in knowledge and in culture…. to radiate all light possible by conversation…[and] by exercis[ing]…any talent we possess.” In our collective P.E.O. wisdom, Chapter EQ faced the isolating COVID-19 challenge by reaching out with “loving concern [to] each sister.” Our Zoom meetings were really about celebrating philanthropy of spirit with P.E.O. sisters. As the Objects and Aims so clearly state, we never know when the “secret places of our hearts” will be made glad. There is no question in my mind that through conversation and writing, a radiation of light occurred through holy intervention. Sometimes all it takes is “a little determination to do all we can…..to express a loving concern for a sister.” Nonagenarian Erna Rohs says it best, “Even at this age of 95, I want to continue to be a P.E.O. because I have never met a sister I didn’t enjoy and I look forward to meeting more sisters.” — Marjorie Wright Hawkins, EQ, Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Irene Brucker (left) was surprised by her Chapter MF sisters’ Kindness Caravan, celebrating her completed breast cancer treatments
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THE P.E.O. RECORD | March–April 2022
Women helping women reach for the stars
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