Et sted i West Tennessee, ikke langt fra Graceland, samles ni kvinder - eller "The 9 Nanas", som de foretrækker at blive kaldt - i nattens mørke. Klokken 4 om morgenen begynder de deres daglige rutine - et ritual, som ingen, ikke engang deres mænd, kendte til i 30 år. De har én mission og kun én mission: at skabe lykke. Og det hele begynder med bagværk.
"En af os begynder at sigte melet og en anden med at vaske æggene," forklarede Nana Mary Ellen, den udpegede talsmand for deres hemmelige selskab. "Og en anden sørger for, at panderne er klar. Vi slukker, alt efter hvad vi har lyst til den dag.
"Men du skal sørge for at sige, at Nana Pearl har ansvaret, for hun er den ældste!" tilføjede hun med et blink og et smil.
I løbet af de næste tre timer vil The 9 Nanas (som alle betragter sig selv som søstre, på trods af hvad nogle af deres fødselsattester siger) piske hundredvis af pundkager sammen som en del af en storslået plan for at hjælpe dem i nød. Og så, før nogen får så meget som et glimt af dem, forsvinder de tilbage i deres daglige liv. Det eneste hint, der kan være tilbage, er den himmelske duft af vanilje, citron og lime, der dvæler i luften.
Selv UPS-chaufføren, som henter hundredvis af pakker ad gangen, har ingen anelse om, hvad disse kvinder, der er i alderen fra 54 til 72, laver. Han er bare glad for at få et kram og en taske fyldt med særlige godbidder. Hvad han ikke ved er, at han er en del af deres masterplan. En plan, der begyndte for 35 år siden - da "søstrene" mødtes til deres ugentlige kortspil - noget deres mænd omtalte som "Broads and Bridge."
"Pearl siger, at det hele var hendes idé," drillede Mary Ellen, "men som jeg husker det, sad vi og mindede om MaMaw og PaPaw og alle de forskellige måder, de ville give en hånd med i samfundet." MaMaw og PaPaw er bedsteforældrene, der opfostrede fire af kvinderne, inklusive Mary Ellen, da deres mor døde; og de tog Pearl ind som deres egne, da hendes forældre havde brug for hjælp.
"MaMaw Ruth læste i avisen, at nogen var død," huskede Mary Ellen, "og hun ville sende en af sine specielle pundkager af sted. Hun behøvede ikke at kende familien. Hun ville bare have et lille smil på deres ansigter. Og vi begyndte at tænke på, hvad vi kunne gøre for at gøre en forskel på den måde. Hvad hvis vi havde en million dollars? Hvordan skulle vi bruge det?
Så damerne begyndte at brainstorme.
"En af søstrene foreslog, at vi alle skulle begynde at vaske vores eget vasketøj og bruge de penge, vi sparede, til god brug. Jeg indrømmer, at jeg protesterede i starten. Der er bare noget ved hvidvaskning, som jeg ikke bryder mig om. Men jeg var i undertal! Så blandt os ni havde vi lagt omkring 400 dollars til side om måneden, og vores mænd har aldrig bemærket noget. Deres skjorter så bare fine ud."
Og så begyndte kvinderne at lytte. De aflyttede - alt sammen med gode intentioner, selvfølgelig - i den lokale skønhedsbutik, eller når de hentede dagligvarer. Og når de hørte om en enke eller en enlig mor, der havde brug for lidt hjælp, greb de ind og betalte anonymt en regning eller købte noget nyt tøj til børnene.
"Vi ville gerne hjælpe så meget, som vi kunne," sagde Mary Ellen, "uden at tage væk fra vores egne familier, så vi blev kuponklippere. Og vi ville bruge grønne frimærker. Kan du huske dem? Vi ville bruge grønne frimærker, og vi ville sørge for at gå til Goldsmiths stormagasin om onsdagen. Hver uge havde de et stort udsalg, og du kunne bruge $100 merchandise værd."
Nanaerne ville finde ud af, hvor personen boede, og sende en pakke med en seddel, der blot sagde: "Somebody loves you" - og de ville være sikre på at inkludere en af MaMaw Ruths specielle pundkager.
Jo flere mennesker de hjalp, jo dristigere blev de.
"Vi gav ordet drive-by en ny betydning," sagde Mary Ellen med glæde. "Vi kørte gennem kvarterer med lav indkomst og kiggede efter boliger, der havde ventilatorer i vinduet. Det fortalte os, at de mennesker, der boede der, ikke havde aircondition. Eller vi så, at der ikke var lys tændt om natten, hvilket betød, at der var en god chance for, at deres forsyninger var blevet slukket. Så vendte vi tilbage, før solen kom op, som kattetyve, og afleverede en lille pakke."
I tre årtier blev damernes gode gerninger uopdaget - det vil sige indtil for fem år siden, da Mary Ellens mand, som hun kærligt kalder "Southern Charmer", begyndte at bemærke ekstra kilometertal på bilen og store kontantbeløb, der blev hævet fra deres opsparingskonto.
"Han fremlagde kontoudtog, og de blev fremhævet!" sagde Mary Ellen og huskede den rædsel, hun følte. "Jeg prøvede at forklare, at jeg havde købt nogle ting, men han havde det her udtryk i ansigtet, som jeg aldrig havde set før - og jeg indså, hvad han må have tænkt. Jeg ringede til søstrene og sagde: 'I skal alle sammen herover med det samme.'"
Så 30 år inde i deres hemmelige mission samledes de 9 Nanas og deres mænd i Mary Ellens stue, og søstrene kom rene. De fortalte ægtemændene om vasketøjet og aflytning - selv køre-byerne. Og det er her, deres historie bliver endnu bedre - fordi ægtemændene tilbød at hjælpe.
"De var forbløffede over, at vi gjorde dette, og endnu mere forbløffede over, at de aldrig vidste det. Vi kan holde på en god hemmelighed! Alle undtagen tre af dem er pensionerede nu, så nogle gange kommer de med os på vores køreture. I vores område behøver du kun en adresse til at betale nogens forbrugsregning, så vi holder mændene travlt med at notere numre ned."
Det varede ikke længe, før parrene besluttede, at det også var tid til at fortælle deres voksne børn. Og det var da, lykken begyndte at ske på en endnu større måde. Børnene opfordrede deres mødre til at begynde at sælge MaMaw Ruths pundkager online, så de kunne samle penge ind til at hjælpe endnu flere mennesker. Og det varede ikke længe, før de modtog mere end 100 ordrer på en dag.
"Første gang vi så de ordrer vælte ind, hoppede vi op og ned," sagde Mary Ellen med et grin. "Vi var så begejstrede, at vi lavede en ring-om-rosie! Så ringede vi til alle børnene og sagde: 'Hvad skal vi så gøre?'"
Det var dengang, de 9 Nanas flyttede deres hemmelige bagevirksomhed ud af deres hjem og ind i kommercielt køkken i en restaurant ejet af en af deres sønner, hvor de kan snige sig ind før solopgang og snige sig ud, før personalet kommer ind. De hyrede endda en "lykkekoordinator" (hvis kodenavn selvfølgelig er "Sunny"). Hendes identitet skal også være en hemmelighed, så hun kan hjælpe med aflytning.
"Vi svor hende til tavshedspligt - hendes forældre tror, hun arbejder med marketing. Og hvis du tænker over det, laver hun PR og bruger meget tid på at lede efter folk, der kan hjælpe i supermarkedet!"
I disse dage er The 9 Nanas i stand til at påtage sig endnu større projekter, givet deres online succes. For nylig donerede de mere end $5.000 i puder og sengetøj og produkter til personlig pleje til et krisecenter for overlevende fra vold i hjemmet. Og i august vil de fejre deres anden på hinanden følgende "Happiness Happens Month" ved at sende tegn på deres påskønnelse til én person i hver stat, som har gjort en forskel i deres eget samfund.
Og den million dollars, de engang ønskede sig? De er der næsten. I de sidste 35 år har de 9 Nanas bidraget med næsten 900.000 $ af lykke til deres lokalsamfund.
Men det betyder ikke, at de har for travlt til at fortsætte med at gøre de små ting, der gør livet lidt gladere. Nogle gange trækker de bare telefonbogen frem og sender pundkager til helt fremmede. Og hvis Nanas ser nogen i købmanden, der ser ud til at have brug for lidt hjælp, er det ikke usædvanligt, at de begynder at fylde en fremmedes vogn.
"Ikke alle er lige så heldige som vi var, at have MaMaw og PaPaw til at tage sig af dem, for at ordne alle de ting, der er galt.
"Så dette er vores måde at give tilbage," sagde Mary Ellen. "Vi vil gerne have, at folk skal vide, at nogen derude bekymrer sig nok til at gøre noget. Vi vil gerne sikre os, at der sker lykke."
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Thank you for sharing☺️☺️☺️
I am the bread lady of my neighborhood... take to those who are sick, sad, or just need something homemade to warm their heart. I also teach others ( in their home or mine..but they bring all the ingredients so they know what to purchase the next time!). I am amazed how much fun they have going home with their own bread, cinnamon buns or whatever fun thing they want to make. The kneading is such a great stress reducer they soon learn! The little kids in the neighborhood call it Missjody toast....cinnamon bread . I use coffee cans for bread pans.
It is just a little way to help. I love the process, the smells and the ability to make another smile! I give it all away.
mentioned your wonderful story in my blog post "Love Will Win In the End
http://www.ahhthesimplelife...
Thanks!
How clueless are these reliant husbands? LOL.
Wow, what a great story.. There's still some wonderful people out here.. Thank God.
I didn't read all of the comments, just enough to see the thread take a left turn.
Awesome work to the 9 Nanas here, and their families that stood behind their efforts. There is so much malice and condemnation these days. Stories like this give me hope.
PO Box 7189, Tacoma, WA. LOL. I love these women and their dedication to community...their love of life, and their whimsy!
How did such a cute story all of a sudden become a bickering match over the value of pets and people?! Wow. Thank you for such a great story that highlights that there is still much good in this world. That there are people who want to give to their communities. Thank you!
I think everyone is missing the point here. You're all arguing about M's comment, left a YEAR ago, which by the way was quite nice. Obviously these strangers wanted to help regardless of cost and I find that rather noble. But more importantly why is no one saying what a wonderful thing these 9 Nanas did? These women are awesome. Stop bickering and pay it forward. Sheesh.
This brought tears to my eyes. I myself am a mother of twin 6yr old daughters and I had them when I was 17. I have been through so much in the last 6 years. If it wasn't for people like the 9 nana's I am not sure what I would have done. There was a time I was living from couch to couch. By the grace of god I am now in my own home. I work and go to school full time. It gives me faith in humanity to know that there are fantastic people like them in this world.
Imagine everyday, feeling so good about yourself because of something you've done. Great job ladies and gentlemen! You inspire me! Now I will sit here and think about what I can do. Anonymously of course. =) God bless you all!
This is one of the most heart lifting articles I have ever read. Kudos to the 9 Nana's and all their efforts! If only more people could understand that we don't do good by others for the credit, we do it for the happiness! Every time I am able to help some one else, I will think of these amazing women and their supportive families and the happy community they have been caring for! <3
Wow, you all get so touchy when it comes to pets. Grown adults bickering like children.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that the story is touching. We don't know what the pet meant to this person, and for these women to step up and help up is admirable. However. If your pet helped you through the toughest parts of your life, when no one else cared, and you want to spend $3000 to get your pet the help s/he needs, do it. At that point, your pet is irreplaceable, because it's honestly become more than. But let's say this isn't the case, and you have children, and your young child ALSO needs an operation, for example, who would get priority? Your pet, or your child?
How awesome is this what a testament you you all.
Nice thought, but once again...Is it wise to eat homemade food from complete strangers? Would you do it?
Get out there and volunteer, people!
OK,EVERYONE LOVES THEIR PETS !!! THIS WHOLE STORY TURNED FROM THE THE NANAS TO ,LETS GO BACK AND FORTH ABOUT OUR PETS ,AND THEIR WORTH,MOVE FOWARD!! THIS WAS A GREAT STORY. PLEASE READ IT AGAIN,THEN IF YOU SEE SOMEONE THAT NEEDS YOUR HELP " HELP THEM". IF YOU CAN!! :)
You are missing the message here. It is about WHO YOU ARE. Some folks can and will help. Some folks understand love in many ways, some folks have "their" priorities right, others don't.
I was a single mom and raised 2 children alone. We had pets who were family members. The pets and children had medical as well as all the other necessary comforts. We did not live extravagantly, we lived with "Faith". My daughter and I now have an animal sanctuary with some 60 plus dog, cats and farm animals. Our lives are RICH in love, respect, honor and reverence. WHO ARE YOU? Are you RICH?
What's w/ the website? Happiness-happens.com link takes you to a page w/ 1 sentence & nothing else - no links or anything to click through...
The point of this whole story was about the GOOD THINGS these nine women and their families did, not a debate over people's feelings toward their pets!
Y'all are missing the point.
Create happiness, don't pick at each other! ♡
Just read the thread below in respect to the value of pets and it seems obvious to me that the arguement is about how rich one is. If you can afford to pay for your dogs cats surgery one will irrespective of the cost. If you are wealthy and still put your animal to sleep then you should nt of had a pet. Its called responsibility of care. I d rather keep my dog alive at the cost of $3000 than blow it on a holiday or buy a new 50 inch flat screen TV. Its about priorities surely?
Daily Good: "News that Inspires" and a bickering comments thread that make you realise why the World is the way it is #irony
wonderful wonderful wonderful!
i am literally bawling right now. i've never heard such a beautiful and heartwarming story of hope, love, and selflessness. This is so inspiring. i've always wanted to do more and be more for people but i've been sick since i was 7 years old. In the last few years after i was finally diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and Acromegaly. i had two brain surgeries and had my adrenal glands removed (in order for me to stay alive - long story) It's been almost 4 months now and i'm the healthiest i've never been so well in my life. As i continue to get better i want to more than anything to help my community and bring smiles to the faces of as many people as i can. i want to spread God's love, as He loved me. i am a servant at heart, but my body wouldn't let me serve because i was too sick. i'm very happy to be able to begin to do what God called me to do, serve. Thank you with all of my heart for doing God's work and sharing this story with the world. Alicia
Wow such a great story taken over by the great pet debates, spend your money how you want and these ladies showed where their priorities were. Helping others is its own reward. So forget about what you would or wouldn't do for a pet and realize its people who where helped.
I love animals. Don't take me wrong for saying: " Is their love really unconditional?" Don't they love us for feeding them and taking care of them? Just saying...
I tried going to the website but all that showed up was a white screen with the words "Folks as young as two and as old as ninety-two want to know they matter". I was really looking forward to seeing their website or even ordering a pound cake. What gives?
Barnabas 19:11
Thou shall not hesitate to give, neither shalt thou murmur when
giving, but thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of thy reward.
....
These women were doing the work of God by secretly giving all of those years.
Why is this feed ALL about pets? My goodness. I would just like a moment to celebrate the 9 Nanas. Let's all think of what we can do to be like them!
Oh My goodness people. Pet bickering isn't the point of this beautiful article! Why limit your love? If someone wants to help an animal in need that is wonderful! If someone wants to help animals in need that is wonderful! Generosity and love for animals and/or humans is not what is hurting people! People being mean and unkind is what is harmful. Here is a challenge: Let's all turn off our bloody computers and do a random act of kindness for someone today or tomorrow. These women are an inspiration--not cause for arguing over what is worth loving!
I always find it very interesting when people argue over whether they would or wouldn't pay to save a pet. It's easy to see who does or doesn't have a soul.
It's juvenile and rude to tell others that what they do with their pet(s) is wrong. Just because you talk the loudest or the most doesn't make you right.
We've paid thousands upon thousands of dollars, many times, for vet bills, surgeries, and general care for our greyhounds. Greyhounds that we SAVED after their racing careers were over and they would've been killed. Our dogs live lives better than a lot of people, because they deserve it and because we love them. One dog had a $9000 surgery just a few months after we adopted her. This same dog lived for 16 years (almost unheard of for a grey) and in those years we spent enough to put a child through college.
We've had 7 greyhounds and they're worth EVERY CENT we've spent on them. There's nothing we won't do for them and fortunately, we're able to do so.
[Hide Full Comment]People don't even want a stranger to breathe on them these days, yet they will eat a random cake? Really???
This is just awesome! To think they could keep this secret for so long and just think of the thousands of people they helped or brought a smiles to.
So where can I buy one of these pound cakes???
What an amazing set of ladies.
their website doesn't work. :(
Wow amazing! Each time I lose faith in humanity it is people like this that make me get it back.
You all are missing the point of the story. Yes, there are varying views about pets and the Church that can be raised, but you're missing how much good these ladies have put forth in their communities--not for themselves.
I spent $4000 on my dog at the Vet and the only thing I asked of her was to give me 4 more years of love and devotion. She lived about 4.5 years and got cancer. She was worth every penny of it. And I never regretted it. We are just avg. people who paid $100 a month until it was paid in full. Don't tell me she wasn't worth it missy!!!!!
I had me a Blue Healer about 20 yes ago that came down with a cough that wouldn,t quit so I took her to my vet who proceeded to tell me that it can,t posebly be lung worms as there aren,t any fox in the hood and he turned a deaf ear when I told him that we take her camping with us all the time. So a grand later at my request or should I say I demanded that he check her for lung worms,because a dog can only get lung worms by eating the feces of a fox. So low and behold the test come back positive and he says the cattle wormer he has to give her will kill her or cure her and she has to spend a couple nights there so I said do it she,s gonna die for sure if you do nothing, 2 grand later I have my piece of family and my happy back. Now I don,t have much money but money isn,t what makes me happy, my dogs make me happy and I would have paid 3 times that amount. Now Sydney died of cancer at the age of 7 nothing I could do about that curse, and I,m never without a couple of dogs in my life. I live on 2 acres and great full for it and have lived here for 25 yrs so I have my own pet semetary of which I am honored to have. So Jennifer if you can,t put as much love into an animal as you would say yourself or family then I wouldn,t own an animal.
[Hide Full Comment]Thank you for sharing this story. It is people like this that give me hope for humanity and inspire me to be better than I am.
Remarkable!! If only...
I read articles like this, and being the skeptic that I am, while I applaud charitable efforts, I wonder if these stories aren't being published to distract people from the very real issues related to poverty and hardship that we seem to just refuse to eradicate, and blame on the poor themselves. It looks to me like an easy way to justify eliminating the few government supports we have in our social safety net, in favour of private charity.
If we collected the Just Rent of the products of Nature equally, then we would have a ready source of wealth with which to fund an unconditional Universal Basic Income. Maybe we should think about being less distracted from the real issues by tasty cakes.
I tried to go to the website to buy a cake but the site isnt working :( these are amazing ladies!
1. I always hear my wife getting up at 4.
2. This IS media hype.
3. Call me skeptical, sorry.
This is such a marvelous story. Okay, Oprah, this one needs to be made into a film. How about it?
Every community should have a group of "Nanas". I know ours sure needs one.
Thank YOU!!!!!! Nanas!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't read to much into this just say thank you!!!!
The link happiness-happens.com no longer works. Since this article is over a year old, have they stopped or gone out of business?
I loved the story of the 9 nanas- I am the type who would love to help all the world, although I am a middle income homemaker. Keep up the great work and the love as long as you can. Kudos to those great hubbys.
Why don't stories like this get features on every major outlet? These are the kinds of things people need to see over and over. Think of the other person first (regardless of religion, background or whatever).
It's a lovely gift of sharing and kindness.
Why it is necessary to ferret out who they are?
Accept that there are many who help others and prefer anonymity.
They help those who really need a rainbow in their day!
It doesn't get any better than that.
great story we could all learn a little from. Shame our leader don't share their vision
This sounds like the backbone for one amazing book! Someone needs to write a book/novel about these women! Honestly though...well done. I can only hope that I, along with my generation, can aspire to do such great things as you women do.
I have something in my eye. -sniffle-
You ladies are just plain awesome, if i lived close enough I would keep the secret and have many years volunteering:)
These women are certainly commendable, but when I tried to access their website, I only got a simple one line quote. Are they real?
That the husbands "didn't know?"
Not buying it. And it's a shame: that fib casts doubt on the rest of it.
My Great Aunt Rose (who also lived in West Tennessee oddly enough) used to do something similar. So inspiring. http://techguerilla.com/the...
I am wanting to order pound cakes to help support them, but the when I click the website link it take me to a page with a quote and nothing more. Is this happening to anyone else?
This is the true joy of giving, when the giver does not even get to see the reaction of the receiver, nor expect or receive praise! What wonderful women!
Wow this made me cry!