En algún lugar del oeste de Tennessee, no lejos de Graceland, nueve mujeres —o "Las 9 Nanas", como prefieren que las llamen— se reúnen en la oscuridad de la noche. A las 4 de la mañana comienzan su rutina diaria, un ritual que nadie, ni siquiera sus esposos, conocía desde hacía 30 años. Tienen una sola misión: crear felicidad. Y todo comienza con productos horneados.
“Una de nosotras empieza a tamizar la harina y otra a lavar los huevos”, explicó Nana Mary Ellen, la portavoz designada de su sociedad secreta. “Y otra se asegura de que las cacerolas estén listas. Nos turnamos, según lo que nos apetezca hacer ese día”.
—¡Pero asegúrate de decir que Nana Pearl está a cargo, porque ella es la mayor! —añadió con un guiño y una sonrisa.
Durante las próximas tres horas, las 9 Nanas (que se consideran hermanas, a pesar de lo que digan algunos de sus certificados de nacimiento) prepararán cientos de bizcochos como parte de un gran plan para ayudar a los necesitados. Y luego, antes de que nadie las vea, desaparecerán de nuevo en su vida cotidiana. El único rastro que quizá quede es el aroma celestial a vainilla, limón y lima, flotando en el aire.
Ni siquiera el conductor de UPS, que recoge cientos de paquetes a la vez, tiene ni idea de lo que hacen estas mujeres, de entre 54 y 72 años. Simplemente está feliz de recibir un abrazo y una bolsa llena de regalos especiales. Lo que no sabe es que forma parte de su plan maestro. Un plan que comenzó hace 35 años, cuando las "hermanas" se reunían para su partida de cartas semanal, algo que sus maridos llamaban "Broads and Bridge".
"Pearl dice que fue idea suya", bromeó Mary Ellen, "pero, según recuerdo, estábamos sentados recordando a MaMaw y PaPaw y todas las diferentes maneras en que ayudaban a la comunidad". MaMaw y PaPaw son los abuelos que criaron a cuatro de las mujeres, incluida Mary Ellen, cuando falleció su madre; y acogieron a Pearl como si fuera suya cuando sus padres necesitaron ayuda.
“MaMaw Ruth leía en el periódico que alguien había fallecido”, recordó Mary Ellen, “y enviaba uno de sus bizcochos especiales. No necesitaba conocer a la familia. Solo quería dibujarles una pequeña sonrisa. Y empezamos a pensar en cómo podríamos hacer algo así. ¿Y si tuviéramos un millón de dólares? ¿Cómo lo gastaríamos?
Entonces las damas comenzaron a intercambiar ideas.
Una de las hermanas sugirió que todas empezáramos a lavar nuestra propia ropa y a darle un buen uso al dinero ahorrado. Admito que al principio protesté. Hay algo en el lavado que no me gusta. ¡Pero me superaban en número! Así que entre las nueve, ahorrábamos unos 400 dólares al mes y nuestros maridos no se daban cuenta. Sus camisas se veían de maravilla.
Y entonces las mujeres empezaron a escuchar. Escuchaban a escondidas —con buenas intenciones, por supuesto— en la peluquería local o al comprar comida. Y cuando se enteraban de que una viuda o una madre soltera necesitaba ayuda, intervenían y, anónimamente, pagaban la factura de los servicios públicos o compraban ropa nueva para los niños.
“Queríamos ayudar lo máximo posible”, dijo Mary Ellen, “sin quitarle nada a nuestras familias, así que nos convertimos en recortadores de cupones. Y usábamos sellos verdes. ¿Recuerdan? Usábamos sellos verdes y nos asegurábamos de ir a la tienda departamental Goldsmith's los miércoles. Cada semana tenían una gran oferta y podías gastar $100 y llevarte $700 en mercancía”.
Las Nanas averiguaban dónde vivía la persona y le enviaban un paquete con una nota que simplemente decía: "Alguien te ama", y se aseguraban de incluir uno de los pasteles especiales de MaMaw Ruth.
Cuanto más gente ayudaban, más audaces se volvían.
“Le dimos un nuevo significado al término "drive-by", dijo Mary Ellen con deleite. “Recorríamos barrios de bajos recursos y buscábamos casas con ventiladores en las ventanas. Eso nos indicaba que sus habitantes no tenían aire acondicionado. O veíamos que no había luz por la noche, lo que significaba que era muy probable que les hubieran cortado los servicios públicos. Luego regresábamos antes del amanecer, como ladrones, y dejábamos un pequeño paquete de ayuda.”
Durante tres décadas, las buenas acciones de las mujeres pasaron desapercibidas; es decir, hasta hace cinco años, cuando el marido de Mary Ellen, a quien ella llama cariñosamente "Encantador sureño", empezó a notar el kilometraje extra del coche y grandes cantidades de dinero que se retiraban de su cuenta de ahorros.
“¡Sacaron los extractos bancarios y estaban subrayados!”, dijo Mary Ellen, recordando el horror que sintió. “Intenté explicarle que había comprado algunas cosas, pero tenía una expresión que nunca antes le había visto, y me di cuenta de lo que debía estar pensando. Llamé a las hermanas y les dije: “Tienen que venir todas de inmediato”.
Así que, 30 años después de su misión secreta, las nueve abuelas y sus esposos se reunieron en la sala de Mary Ellen y las hermanas se sinceraron. Les contaron a los esposos sobre la colada y las escuchas clandestinas, incluso los espionajes. Y ahí es donde su historia se vuelve aún mejor: porque los esposos se ofrecieron a ayudar.
Estaban asombrados de que hiciéramos esto, y aún más asombrados de que nunca lo supieran. ¡Qué bien guardamos un secreto! Todos menos tres están jubilados, así que a veces nos acompañan en nuestras visitas desde el coche. En nuestra zona, solo se necesita una dirección para pagar la factura de servicios públicos, así que mantenemos a los hombres ocupados anotando números.
No tardó mucho en que las parejas decidieran que también era hora de contárselo a sus hijos adultos. Y fue entonces cuando la felicidad empezó a crecer aún más. Los niños animaron a sus madres a vender los bizcochos de MaMaw Ruth en línea para recaudar fondos y ayudar a más personas. Y en poco tiempo recibían más de 100 pedidos al día.
“La primera vez que vimos llegar esos pedidos, nos pusimos a dar saltos”, dijo Mary Ellen entre risas. “¡Estábamos tan emocionados que hicimos una ronda de rositas! Luego llamamos a todos los niños y les preguntamos: '¿Qué hacemos ahora?'”.
Fue entonces cuando las 9 Nanas trasladaron su negocio de repostería encubierta de sus casas a la cocina comercial de un restaurante propiedad de uno de sus hijos, donde pueden entrar a escondidas antes del amanecer y salir antes de que llegue el personal. Incluso contrataron a una "coordinadora de felicidad" (cuyo nombre en clave es "Sunny", por supuesto). Su identidad también debe ser secreta para que pueda ayudar con las escuchas.
Le hicimos jurar que guardaría el secreto; sus padres creen que trabaja en marketing. Y, en realidad, si te pones a pensarlo, ¡es relaciones públicas y pasa mucho tiempo buscando ayuda en el supermercado!
Hoy en día, las 9 Nanas pueden emprender proyectos aún más grandes gracias a su éxito en línea. Recientemente, donaron más de $5,000 en almohadas, ropa de cama y productos de cuidado personal a un refugio para sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica. Y este agosto, celebrarán su segundo "Mes de la Felicidad" consecutivo enviando muestras de su agradecimiento a una persona en cada estado que haya marcado la diferencia en su comunidad.
¿Y ese millón de dólares que alguna vez anhelaron? Ya casi lo tienen. En los últimos 35 años, las 9 Nanas han aportado casi 900.000 dólares de felicidad a su comunidad.
Pero eso no significa que estén demasiado ocupadas para seguir haciendo las pequeñas cosas que alegran la vida. A veces simplemente sacan la guía telefónica y envían bizcochos a desconocidos. Y si las abuelas ven a alguien en el supermercado que parece necesitar ayuda, no es raro que empiecen a llenar el carrito de un desconocido.
“No todos tienen la misma suerte que nosotros de tener a MaMaw y PaPaw para cuidarlos y arreglar todos esos problemas.
“Así que esta es nuestra manera de retribuir”, dijo Mary Ellen. “Queremos que la gente sepa que hay alguien que se preocupa lo suficiente como para hacer algo. Queremos asegurarnos de que la felicidad llegue”.
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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!