Finding My MoJo in JoMo by GoJo – Margot Ferron

As I watch in horror again, the mangled, tangled, twisted destruction of the Oklahoma tornadoes, I am painfully reminded of Joplin, MO on May 22, 2011.  This is a shortened version of my experience with Joplin and the valuable life experiences I gained. Please jump in and help Oklahoma.  You will gain and learn a more about yourself and others.

On May 22, 2011, I watched in horror on national news, as an EF-5 tornado slammed into Joplin, Missouri (JO, MO) killing 165 people.  Like other tragedies, I cried relentlessly feeling so helpless some 1,550 miles away in Orange County, CA.

I have volunteered since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.  It was expected of me as a kid growing up in the South.  Even so, I have often wondered, what my MoJo is.  In other words, what is my purpose in life?  We have all watched disasters on TV that ripped our hearts to shreds. 

Paralyzed, thinking these tragedies are bigger than me, I have only donated money.  I seem to always have regrets that I didn’t do enough to help ease the pains and burdens of others, surely I could do more.A month later, (June 26, 2011) I was asked if I would volunteer and spearhead a July 4th event to raise money for “Mission Viejo, CA Supports Joplin, MO.” 

I accepted the challenge with great trepidation and fear of failing.  When I wasn’t satisfied with the money raised on July 4---$2,660, I made gift baskets to raffle.  For three days, I tirelessly went from business to business for donations.  It was exhausting, the number of “No’s” I heard was crushing. “You have to submit a request four to six weeks in advance!”  I only had three days! DARN.  Trust me, those were the polite rejections. 

With the generous donations I received, I made 15, unique, baskets worth $300-$1,000 to raffle, one of which was a large red wagon.  What ever it took, I made a commitment to get back up, make calls and give all I had. The frustrations, angst and stress of fundraising are endless.  I questioned, “God why am I doing this?” When I was emotionally drained, I would get a call from a total stranger in Joplin to say “thank you.”  “Margot, this is Dick Webber from Joplin, MO.   I lived in Mission Viejo for 25 years, thank you so much for all you are doing for us.”

On July 30 at the Mission Viejo Pacific Symphony, the Moser family graciously gave me an Angel of Joplin.  They have family in Mission Viejo, CA and came to visit.  Despite their tragedy, they were able to share some of the stories from the tornado.  God was planting “Angels” on my shoulders to invigorate and energize me to do more.

On Sept. 9, I flew to Joplin to deliver $10,000 I helped raise in just eight weeks.  Greeted by Jim Achey, his daughter Autumn, Jimmy Zaccarello, their friends and family, I heard more stories of triumph, survival and struggles.  I cried so much, I have honorary stock in “Kleenex.”  Autumn was thrown out of her car and had nine surgeries to save her leg.  Zaccarello saved Autumn after burrowing out of the debris and bodies in the Home Depot.  If my memory serves me, seven people died in the Home Depot.

On 9/11, 2011,  I participated in the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 events at Cunningham Park and Missouri Southern State University.  As I stood and sobbed, listening to “Amazing Grace” being played on the bagpipes at what was Cunningham Park (across from St. John’s Regional Hospital); I could only imagine the struggles of doctors and nurses to get patients and visitors out of the hospital with the winds up to 165 mph.  Having worked in the operating room for more than 20 years, I knew the magnitude and challenges of all the equipment, electrical cords not to mention all the patients.

Driving the ravaged, torn streets of Joplin I met strangers-- people who had lived in Southern California and have family in Joplin.  I marvel at how we are all connected in one way or another.High above Joplin on my flight home to California, my eyes were heavy with sorrow and my heart ached.  I didn’t want to leave.  I knew I would have to go back to see Joplin soar, but what I learned about myself was priceless. 

So what is my MOJO; what is my purpose in life?  It is getting people caught up in my energy and genuine passion to help others no matter how crazy or even impossible it seems.  Nothing is impossible if you just ask.  Giving back no matter how small can start a fire of charity and love.

My greater dreams is for volunteers to keep going to Joplin and now Oklahoma to help restore and rebuild these cities of such gracious, warm, appreciative people.   Personally, I need to see houses line the streets with birds chirping in billowing trees and hear the creaking of crickets.  I will continue to sprinkle happiness and volunteer wherever it is needed.

Most of all, I learned don’t let your fears of failure ever get in the way of doing your best and giving your most.   It is better to try then to have regrets of not helping.  

“What we do for our selves, dies with us.  What we do for others lives on.”