The Story of the Socks

Dear Friends and Family,

You are getting this invitation because you have made a difference in my life or in the life of someone who has. So before I go any further, please know you have made Our World a better place already. Thank you!

There are many true tales I could tell from the two months in which my son and I spent the holidays in a shelter, but today I would like to share with you the Story of the Socks. 

The day we entered shelter, my family had quickly gathered an emergency bag with clothes and toiletries and gift cards. My sister told me to spend at least a little of one to do something that made me happy. So when we stopped by Walgreen's that night, I got 2 3-packs of fuzzy socks for $10 so I could report back to those who love me so much. 

By the time we made it to Hope House, I had already decided to give one 3-pack to my roommate. It seemed like a good way to quickly build connection and trust, something urgently needed when sharing a room with strangers, especially since we each had a young child. Once my toddler was in his pack-and-play and my chore complete, I put on a pair from my remaining 3 and emerged from our room. 

"Nice socks, new girl," said one of the two on the couch outside our doorway. "Those look like some really nice socks."

"Yep! My sweet family got them for me," I replied, smiling. 

The other woman said, "Yeah, new girl's got some warm socks!"

I did not hesitate to volunteer, "I have 2 more new pairs! You ladies want them?"

They lit up, and I found my love language to quickly make friends of strangers. It became a bright spot as every new client was greeted with her choice from the growing collection I brought back from outside our securely-gated compound. 

Not needing the spotlight, I began handing over new donations from friends and family to Miss D, a trans woman who, even though unable to access her hormone therapy, was more a woman than I've ever been. She had sparkle and deserved to shine!

One day when we came back from the school, I released to Miss D our latest treasures. She frowned and shook her head. 

"You know I respect you, Miss Abby. But you've gotta stop giving your nice things to everyone who comes here. You don't know 'cause you're not here, but a lot of these women here are nothing but stankin' a** b*****s!"

I laughed and said, "Miss D! There have been so many times in my life when I could have easily been seen as nothing but a 'Stankin' A** B****.' Maybe some people who don't really know me would still say that! We all come here because we've been through hell, and we're scared. Who knows? Maybe fuzzy socks and some kindness could be what makes these Stankin A.B.s realize they deserve better! And we can do that for them. So. Miss D...Please keep going to EACH and EVERY SAB who walks into our home, look her in the eye, flash that beautiful smile, and GIVE THEM SOME SOCKS, WOMAN!!"

And she did. Faithfully and happily from that moment on.

By the time we left, we had delivered over 100 pairs of fuzzy socks to our Hope House home, including the trashbags full we left to be handed out in our absence.

It was a difficult, painful chapter in our lives. Exhausting. Dark.

But it is in these times, I have learned, it is most crucial to "Mine the Light." To Reveal It, to Amplify It, and to Share It. 

Many who donated socks did not even know where we were living. They just knew I'd been 'spending a lot of time with the women of Hope House' and had realized that nothing said love and comfort like a new pair of fuzzy socks. Most of them had no job to go to nor a car to take them safely anywhere, so a lot of time was spent with no shoes on our cold, hard floors.

Some having nothing but the clothes they and their children were wearing, used and cheaply made basics were received with sincere, humble gratitude. But these socks! They were new. Special. Practical, but with that touch of extravagance that added a boost of dignity that someone saw them as not only worthy of leftovers, but of comfort and quality. For the many who were understandably afraid of touch, it was like a safe and long-overdue hug.

These last few years have been a dark, confusing, and uncertain time for All of Us. 

I don't want to add to your burden nor do I want you to over-extend your likely already-stretched resources.

But sometimes, when we take inventory, we see there is enough for us and also some to share. And this realization and the experience of giving can be a beautiful reminder of how powerful we really are, even in the seasons where we feel most powerless. 

You are Invited to join me and to Mine the Light. 

The Sunny Side Of The Street is making Holiday gifts full of useful and quality "dignity items" like lip care, hand sanitizer, hand soap, body care, masks, and of course...FUZZY SOCKS!!! If you are ready to go shopping and want some good deals, after-Christmas deals are perfect for our purpose. Quality at a price point lower than many generic brands. You are also welcome to make monetary donations, and we will make the most of your donation dollar, having already made friends at the local Bath & Body Works, Ulta, Sephora, JC Penny, and Victoria's Secret. And if you're like me? Perhaps you can go shopping in your own home, having a surplus of unopened but wonderful products that deserve to be appreciated. These are welcome as well!

Maybe this isn't the right time for you, but you want to give later. There are always new clients and partners who could use what you have to share when you are ready. If time is the resource of which you have too little, TSSOTS is excellent at using donations faithfully to keep up with the ever-shifting needs of the diverse groups we are committed to serving.

Maybe your Light Mine is somewhere other than The Sunny Side Of The Street. Great! Give what you can, where you want.

Just give. And don't give up. 

No matter where in Life you are, you are always powerful enough to make a difference, even if it's simply sharing a smile.

… Or a pair of Fuzzy Socks. 😊

With Love from the Sunny Side of the Street, 

Abby Romang🐳