40 Days Till 40 (Day 27)

AN ODE TO AWESOME

I normally don’t include the names of the people and places in my life, choosing instead to protect their identities and relish in the relative anonymity of this blog.  There is, however, someone who I am only too delighted to reveal, because everyone should know her awesomeness. 

There are a lot of amazing and talented people in this area.  I am lucky to count many of them among my friends.  One of the most extraordinary and inspirational is a woman named Meredith Tanzer. 

Meredith was one of the first people I met upon moving to Reno almost 8 years ago.  At the time, she owned a funky little shop called “La Bussola”.  La Bussola was a place where local artists and crafty folk could sell their art—and oh, how I loved it!  My daughter and I would visit often, partially because I sold crocheted hats and accessories there, but also because it was just so cool!  All coolness aside, though, the store wouldn’t have been what it was if not for Meredith.  I felt from the first time I met her that if fantastic people like Meredith lived here, I was definitely going to like living in Northern Nevada.  

Sadly, the store ended up closing a couple of years later.  But that didn’t stop Meredith from moving on to create and lead a purposeful life.  Honestly, I doubt anything could.  It seemed like every time I turned around she was doing something new to benefit the community. 

Most recently, she has been integral in the orchestration of Build Our Center, a non-profit organization devoted to creating a positive, caring, supportive place for the LGBTQA community in Northern Nevada.  The goal is to create a space to provide educational, social and wellness programs.  My derby league raised some money for their organization in the past, but Meredith has also been known to hold bake sale fundraisers featuring her colorful cupcakes.  How appropriate considering that she, herself, is like a cupcake:  sweet, colorful, fun and lovely. 

Today I was once again reminded of her strength of character and giving heart when I volunteered for the Homeless Youth Point in Time Count.  This was a 24 hour event coordinated by Build Our Center and the Nevada Youth Empowerment Project on behalf of the Reno Area Alliance for the Homeless.  Every year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates a survey of the local homeless to better plan programs and shelters to assist them.  The Homeless Youth Point in Time Count was created to survey 18-24 year olds who are living on the streets or in temporary housing.

Although the event certainly took many people to organize it, it was pretty clear that Meredith was at the heart of it.  She worked tirelessly, training the volunteers, sorting the donations (mass amounts of food, blankets, toiletries and clothing), cheerfully leading an art project while operating on 4 hours of sleep (or less).  The woman is a complete dynamo.  Man, I want to be her when I grow up. 

So if this seems like a very reverential blog entry, well, it is.  Most people I have met who know Meredith find her to be kind, intelligent, generous and deserving of their respect.  They seem to understand of what she is capable of doing…and they never want to disappoint her by doing less than their best.  I wholeheartedly agree.  She is truly special. 

Thank you, Meredith, for all that you do—and for just being awesome.

Until Tomorrow Lovelies….

Written 1/30/14; posted in the wee hours of 2/1/14.  Better late than never, eh?