Yet Another One Good Thing

Yesterday afternoon and evening were sadder than usual (see my phone bill story), so this morning, I’m very happy to be able to share this lovely tribute to Hudson that some of our friends have created and are now inviting others to join.  Rich and Lynn, thank you for working so hard to put together such a fitting and lasting memorial to our girl-- some of our best memories of Hudson include her precious books.

From Rich and Lynn Matheny:

All of us were struck by Hudson’s death, and by Mandy and Ed’s brave struggle to cope with and make sense from it. We have certainly been moved by the outpouring of support for Mandy and Ed, and by its organization around the theme that Mandy articulated at the memorial service in Washington, D.C.: One Good Thing. After deliberation, we have decided to honor Hudson’s love for life and learning with a donation of our favorite children’s books to Mandy and Ed’s local library, the Woodridge branch of the DC Public Library. In each book will be placed a memorial plate in Hudson’s honor (see below). This is a pretty good thing. But it could be better.

Witnessing the extraordinary outpouring of support for Mandy and Ed, we felt it appropriate to open this project to their wider community. So, we are inviting their friends each to consider donating one favorite children’s book to the collection. Based on discussions with the Library, we are looking for a broad spectrum of children’s books -- board books, picture books, learning-to-read books, etc. -- that reflects the diversity of Mandy and Ed’s wide circle of friends. We will organize the books into a single donation to the DC Public Library in Hudson’s name, placing a memorial plate in each. Our hope is that this will be yet one more One Good Thing.

If you would like to participate, please send one new or pristine hardcover book (as the library has requested) to Lynn and Rich Matheny, 4119 Stanford Street, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. We will also keep a bin on our front porch if you prefer to drop them off directly. We would be grateful to receive all donated books by September 1, at which point we will order an appropriate number of memorial plates. At the time of the donation, we’ll circulate a complete list of titles but will not identify individual donors; if you would like Mandy and Ed to know which book you have donated, please send them an e-mail directly.

If you have any questions, e-mail lynnmatheny@yahoo.com.

Thank you.

Rich and Lynn Matheny