Published: December 23, 2006 01:03 pm            

Extra Milers: Cathy Guthrie

Barbra Streisand gave us these words in a song, “People ... people who need people ... are the luckiest people in the world.” Let me introduce you to some folks who consider themselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world. It is their life experiences (good and bad) that have made them extra milers.

In workshops, I talk about the dangers of stereotyping. Read on as I blatantly ignore my own advice. Extra milers are all the same; they share many of the same traits. After reporting on extra milers for the past year, the obvious is that they are all caring people. The less obvious is that they would prefer attention and credit be placed elsewhere. As a result, they are often overlooked. Extra Milers are typically not acknowledged in big ceremonies (not to diminish the wonderful deeds of those who are). Kind acts for them are common day to day activities, often accomplished without fanfare. Cathy Guthrie is a prime example. She will be surprised to see her name mentioned first in this column, since she wrote to me about her good friend, Mary Ann Burch. However, research tells me that both women are deserving of kudos and recognition as extra milers.

Cathy performs her acts of kindness because she personally knows and understands pain. She has lived with the pain of a rare disease called Neurofibromantosis (NF), the grief of having two daughters and many other close family members diagnosed with serious medical concerns, and the sorrow of feeling she can never give enough. From these feelings, Cathy asks us to recognize another person whose acts of kindness have given her family relief and a great deal of happiness. Cathy wrote that Mary Ann Burch is the epitome of an Extra Miler, “Mary Ann searches for ways she can help others. Her heart is so full of love and compassion for others. Even with her own struggles, she always finds time for people who need help.” Cathy went on to say, “Mary Ann pops up any time our family is in need.” Since Cathy and her family are continually dealing with surgeries and visits to doctors and hospitals, Mary Ann steps in to offer rides to and from the hospital, prepares and delivers home-cooked meals, performs clothing alterations (she is an accomplished seamstress), and lends a loving heart. When Cathy’s eldest daughter (who also has NF) was to be married, Mary Ann stepped in to help make the day extra special. Knowing the wedding would be a financial strain on the family; Mary Ann rallied her family and offered to manage all the kitchen duties during the reception. Cathy wrote, “Mary Ann also did all my daughter’s bridal alterations, made her veil, and hand designed jewelry for all the bridesmaids.” That wasn’t all she did. Since Cathy’s own mother suffers from NF and Alzheimer Disease, Mary Ann stepped up to the task of fielding all the “what do I do next” calls related to planning a special wedding day. Mary Ann’s advice was both a comfort and a necessity for Cathy and her family to get through the wedding, along with the many stresses of daily life.

Cathy closed her letter and also our conversation with these words, “I know the monetary value of all Mary Ann has done for our family. She has done all of these things from her heart, expecting absolutely nothing in return, as did her family members. I’m sure she never discusses her good deeds with others. She is a true servant of God. She gives her own daughters, along with mine; one of the greatest gifts a mother can give — setting the perfect example of how to treat others with kindness.” Somehow, in this busy world, people like Mary Ann find time to dedicate themselves to perform good deeds and to always go that extra mile. We welcome Mary Ann (and Cathy) into the warm circle of friendship that surrounds an “extra miler.”

KINDNESS TIP OF THE MONTH: We cannot know or understand how the Katrina survivors feel at this time; however, we know our sisters and brothers have survived more than most of us can imagine. Their tears and cries for help have come across the television and have touched our hearts. Take a moment — close your eyes — and step into their weary shoes. Imagine how you would feel if you lost everything - family members, health, home, job — even your entire hometown. Do you feel uncomfortable as you think about what our neighbors have lost? Don’t cry about it as you watch the devastation — do something today! There are collections all around Clark County, join one and be an “Extra Miler.”

FOLLOW UP: Have you acted on any of our previous kindness tips? If so, let us know what you did, how it made you feel and the reaction of the recipient (if you were there to witness their reaction). If you have been the beneficiary of an act of kindness in Clark County , give us a call or send an email or note. Next month this column will be dedicated to short stories relating to acts of kindness in Clark County that may have been spurred on through reading about the Extra Milers.

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and president of a national training and consulting company, EEO Guidance, Inc . If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an extra miler, let us know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via email: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or send mail to: The Extra Milers, The Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.

        

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