Sa isang lugar sa West Tennessee, hindi kalayuan sa Graceland, siyam na babae -- o "The 9 Nanas," na mas gusto nilang tawagin -- nagtitipon sa dilim ng gabi. Sa alas-4 ng umaga ay sinimulan nila ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na gawain -- isang ritwal na walang sinuman, kahit ang kanilang mga asawa, ang nakakaalam sa loob ng 30 taon. Mayroon silang isang misyon at isang misyon lamang: upang lumikha ng kaligayahan. At ang lahat ay nagsisimula sa mga inihurnong gamit.
"Ang isa sa amin ay nagsimulang magsala ng harina at ang isa pa ay naghuhugas ng mga itlog," paliwanag ni Nana Mary Ellen, ang hinirang na tagapagsalita para sa kanilang lihim na lipunan. "At may ibang tao na sinisigurado na ang mga kawali ay handa na lahat. We switch off, depende sa kung ano ang gusto naming gawin sa araw na iyon.
"Ngunit siguraduhin mong sabihin na si Nana Pearl ang namamahala, dahil siya ang pinakamatanda!" dagdag niya sabay kindat at ngiti.
Sa susunod na tatlong oras, ang The 9 Nanas (na lahat ay itinuturing ang kanilang sarili na mga kapatid na babae, sa kabila ng sinasabi ng ilan sa kanilang mga sertipiko ng kapanganakan) ay magbibigay ng daan-daang pound cake, bilang bahagi ng isang malaking pamamaraan upang matulungan ang mga nangangailangan. At pagkatapos, bago masilip sila ng sinuman, mawawala sila pabalik sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ang tanging pahiwatig na maaaring manatili ay ang makalangit na amoy ng banilya, lemon at dayap, na nananatili sa hangin.
Maging ang driver ng UPS, na kumukuha ng daan-daang mga pakete sa isang pagkakataon, ay walang ideya kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga babaeng ito, na nasa edad 54 hanggang 72. Masaya lang siyang makayakap at may bag na puno ng mga espesyal na pagkain. Ang hindi niya alam ay bahagi siya ng kanilang master plan. Isang plano na nagsimula 35 taon na ang nakakaraan -- nang magsama-sama ang "magkapatid na babae" para sa kanilang lingguhang laro ng card -- isang bagay na tinukoy ng kanilang asawa bilang "Broads and Bridge."
“Sinabi ni Pearl na lahat ng iyon ay ideya niya,” panunukso ni Mary Ellen, “pero habang naaalala ko iyon, nakaupo kami sa paligid at inaalala ang tungkol kay MaMaw at PaPaw at sa lahat ng iba't ibang paraan kung paano sila tutulong sa komunidad." Sina MaMaw at PaPaw ang mga lolo't lola na nagpalaki sa apat sa mga babae, kasama si Mary Ellen, nang pumanaw ang kanilang ina; at kinuha nila si Pearl bilang kanilang sarili, nang ang kanyang mga magulang ay nangangailangan ng tulong.
"Nabasa ni MaMaw Ruth sa papel na may namatay," naalala ni Mary Ellen, "at ipapadala niya ang isa sa kanyang mga espesyal na pound cake. Hindi na niya kailangang kilalanin ang pamilya. Gusto lang niyang maglagay ng kaunting ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha. At nagsimula kaming mag-isip kung ano ang magagawa namin para magkaroon ng pagbabago sa ganoong paraan. Paano kung mayroon kaming isang milyong dolyar? Paano namin ito gagastusin?
Kaya nagsimulang mag-brainstorm ang mga babae.
"Iminungkahi ng isa sa mga kapatid na babae na dapat kaming lahat ay magsimulang maglaba at gamitin ang perang naipon namin sa mabuti. Inaamin ko, nagprotesta ako noong una. May isang bagay lang tungkol sa paglalaba na hindi ko gusto. Ngunit nalampasan ko ang bilang! Kaya sa aming siyam, nagtabi kami ng humigit-kumulang $400 sa isang buwan at hindi napansin ng aming mga asawa ang isang bagay. Ang kanilang kamiseta."
At nagsimulang makinig ang mga babae. Nakikinig sila -- lahat ay may magandang intensyon, siyempre -- sa lokal na beauty shop o kapag sila ay namumulot ng mga pamilihan. At kapag nabalitaan nila ang tungkol sa isang balo o isang solong ina na nangangailangan ng kaunting tulong, papasok sila at hindi nagpapakilalang magbabayad ng utility bill o bumili ng mga bagong damit para sa mga bata.
"Gusto naming tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya," sabi ni Mary Ellen, "nang hindi inaalis ang sarili naming mga pamilya, kaya naging coupon clipper kami. At gagamit kami ng mga berdeng selyo. Tandaan ang mga iyon? Gumagamit kami ng mga berdeng selyo at sisiguraduhin naming pumunta sa department store ng Goldsmith tuwing Miyerkules. Bawat linggo magkakaroon sila ng malaking sale at maaari kang gumastos ng $100 andise."
Malalaman ng mga Nanas kung saan nakatira ang tao at magpapadala sila ng isang pakete na may sulat na simpleng nagsasabing, "May nagmamahal sa iyo" -- at tiyak na isasama nila ang isa sa mga espesyal na pound cake ni MaMaw Ruth.
Ang mas maraming tao na kanilang tinulungan, mas naging matapang sila.
"Nagbigay kami ng bagong kahulugan sa terminong drive-by," sabi ni Mary Ellen na may kagalakan. "Kami ay nagmamaneho sa mga kapitbahayan na mababa ang kita at naghahanap ng mga bahay na may mga bentilador sa bintana. Iyon ay nagsabi sa amin na ang mga taong nakatira doon ay walang air-conditioning. O makikita namin na walang mga ilaw sa gabi, na nangangahulugan na malaki ang posibilidad na ang kanilang mga kagamitan ay nakapatay. Pagkatapos ay babalik kami bago sumikat ang araw, tulad ng mga magnanakaw ng pusa, at ibinaba ang isang maliit na pakete ng pangangalaga."
Sa loob ng tatlong dekada, hindi na-detect ang kabutihan ng mga babae -- iyon ay, hanggang limang taon na ang nakalipas, nang mapansin ng asawa ni Mary Ellen, na buong pagmamahal niyang tinatawag na “Southern Charmer,” ang dagdag na mileage sa sasakyan at malaking halaga ng cash ang na-withdraw mula sa kanilang savings account.
"Naglabas siya ng mga bank statement at na-highlight ang mga ito!" Sabi ni Mary Ellen, inaalala ang kilabot na naramdaman niya. "Sinubukan kong ipaliwanag na may binili akong mga bagay, ngunit ganito ang hitsura niya na hindi ko pa nakikita -- at natanto ko kung ano ang iniisip niya. Tinawagan ko ang mga kapatid na babae at sinabing, 'Kailangan ninyong pumunta kaagad dito.'"
Kaya 30 taon sa kanilang lihim na misyon, ang 9 Nanas at ang kanilang mga asawa ay nagtipon sa sala ni Mary Ellen at ang mga kapatid na babae ay naging malinis. Sinabi nila sa mga asawa ang tungkol sa paglalaba at pag-eavesdropping -- maging ang mga drive-by. At doon lalong gumanda ang kanilang kuwento -- dahil nag-alok ang mga asawang lalaki na tumulong.
"Nagulat sila na ginagawa namin ito at mas namangha na hindi nila alam. Maaari kaming magtago ng isang magandang sikreto! Lahat maliban sa tatlo sa kanila ay nagretiro na ngayon, kaya kung minsan ay sumasama sa amin sa aming mga drive-by.
Hindi nagtagal bago napagpasyahan ng mga mag-asawa na oras na rin para sabihin sa kanilang malalaking anak. At doon nagsimulang mangyari ang kaligayahan sa mas malaking paraan. Hinikayat ng mga bata ang kanilang mga ina na magsimulang magbenta ng pound cakes ni MaMaw Ruth online, para makalikom sila ng pera para makatulong sa mas maraming tao. At hindi nagtagal bago sila nakatanggap ng higit sa 100 mga order sa isang araw.
"Sa unang pagkakataon na nakita namin ang mga order na iyon, tumalon-talon kami," natatawang sabi ni Mary Ellen. "Kami ay nasasabik na gumawa kami ng isang ring-around-the-rosie! Pagkatapos ay tinawag namin ang lahat ng mga bata at sinabing, 'Ano ang susunod na gagawin namin?'"
Noon ay inilipat ng 9 Nanas ang kanilang patagong baking operation sa kanilang mga tahanan at papunta sa commercial kitchen ng isang restaurant na pagmamay-ari ng isa sa kanilang mga anak, kung saan maaari silang pumasok bago sumikat ang araw at lumabas bago pumasok ang staff. Kumuha pa sila ng “happiness coordinator” (na ang code name ay “Sunny,” siyempre). Kailangang maging lihim din ang kanyang pagkakakilanlan, para makatulong siya sa pag-eavesdropping.
"Nanumpa kami sa kanya na maglihim -- sa tingin ng kanyang mga magulang ay nagtatrabaho siya sa marketing. At, sa totoo lang, kung iisipin mo, nakikipag-ugnayan siya sa publiko at gumugugol ng maraming oras sa paghahanap ng mga taong matutulungan sa supermarket!"
Sa mga araw na ito, nagagawa ng The 9 Nanas ang mas malalaking proyekto, dahil sa kanilang tagumpay online. Kamakailan ay nag-donate sila ng higit sa $5,000 ng mga unan at linen at mga produkto ng personal na pangangalaga sa isang kanlungan para sa mga nakaligtas sa karahasan sa tahanan. At ngayong Agosto, ipagdiriwang nila ang kanilang pangalawang magkakasunod na “Happiness Happens Month” sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng mga token ng kanilang pagpapahalaga sa isang tao sa bawat estado na gumawa ng pagbabago sa sarili nilang komunidad.
At ang milyong dolyar na minsan nilang hinihiling? Malapit na sila. Sa nakalipas na 35 taon, ang 9 Nanas ay nag-ambag ng halos $900,000 ng kaligayahan sa kanilang lokal na komunidad.
Ngunit hindi iyon nangangahulugan na sila ay masyadong abala upang ipagpatuloy ang paggawa ng maliliit na bagay na nagpapasaya sa buhay. Minsan binubunot lang nila ang phone book at nagpapadala ng mga pound cake para kumpletuhin ang mga estranghero. At kung may makita ang mga Nana sa grocery store na mukhang nangangailangan ng kaunting tulong, hindi karaniwan para sa kanila na magsimulang punan ang cart ng isang estranghero.
“Hindi lahat ay kasing swerte namin na may MaMaw at PaPaw na mag-aalaga sa kanila, para ayusin lahat ng mali.
"Kaya ito ang aming paraan ng pagbabalik," sabi ni Mary Ellen. "Nais naming malaman ng mga tao na mayroong sapat na nagmamalasakit sa isang bagay. Gusto naming matiyak na mangyayari ang kaligayahan."
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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!