"Coyote" dreams...

photo by grassrootsmsw

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

Leonardo da Vinci

On the rarest of occasions, there is opportunity to be a legal "coyote."

Today, with tremendous support and effort from Congresswoman Lois Capps' staff, and compassionate dedication from several Santa Barbara medical physicians', a dying gentleman was granted his dearest and final wish.

This gentleman, a legal and documented citizen of the U.S., has two children residing in another country where they are receiving their University educations.' As this gentleman is facing the final stages of his terminal illness, he has remained alert and determined to stay alive, with the sole hope that his children will be able to gain legal entrance into the U.S. and visit him one last time.

After 7 days of waiting at multiple border crossings, meeting with various consulate officials, and two refusals for entry to the U.S., finally, tonight, the dying gentleman's children were granted humanitarian visa entries.As I write this blog entry, they are on the road and on their way to see their father at the hospice home that is caring for him.

I had the greatest honor tonight, as I went to the hospice home and delivered the miraculous news to the dying gentleman. I have never been so moved or touched...as the tears streamed down his face, he simultaneously had the most beautiful and shining smile I have ever seen.

"Coyotes," were not needed to make this dream happen, rather a committed and determined group of people who believed in "doing." Like dogs with a bone, they maintained their stamina, doing the doing, and pushing forth with action. It wasn't just this gentleman's story that guided and inspired vigor, rather the resonation and connection to a story that is part of all of us...

-grassrootsmsw-