I almost never donate money at meetings. I give charity privately.  However, as a show of my deep thanks to the patronage I’d received for 10/10 Optics from the disbanding LGBT group, I put my $20 and business card in the pass around envelope for the Gotham SEASON OF GIVING. And, then I forgot about it.

A few months later I was having a very difficult week.  My mom was in the hospital having a serious procedure, my daughter was involved in an awful divorce that was making her sick, not to mention about 5 other overwhelming  events coming together in a crescendo of different disasters. It was also the anniversary of the death of my beloved father-in-law whom I miss very much. I was at an all time low.

While driving my car and listening to 1010 WINS (a little ironic) I was having a conversation with G-d.  I was asking for strength to get through this very trying time.  I asked how I could possibly give more of myself.  I was tapped out.

Then Fred called my cell.  I asked him to hold on while I pulled over… talking and tears don’t mix well while driving.  He told me that I was one of the the winners of the SEASON OF GIVING raffle. $5,000 would be going to DOROT, the charity of my choice.  DOROT provides meals and company to homebound elderly Jewish people.

When I married 35 years ago, we chose to always donate to DOROT, because my beloved Father-in-law was a Holocaust survivor.  There but for the grace of G-d, he was not alone.  He had us.  He had a son and soon there were grandchildren and I was grateful to have  him in our lives.

I cried and cried when I was told by Fred that DOROT would be the recipient of my winning the raffle donation made in thanks, at the last LGBT meeting.  My prayers were heard and via GOTHAM, an answer was received. Gotham’s motto to pay it forward held true. I will always be in awe of the synergy of that day.