I met Dr. Harden, the Bishop Maginn High School teacher who is co-ordinating the Mobile Classroom the school is rushing to set up. I met him in the same convenience store where Ali and I used to meet to plot the life of his beloved soccer team.

Ali and I parted ways because of honest differences of opinion over money. The soccer team was expensive – we spent thousands of dollars renting stadium space for practice and a van – and I felt the money was more urgently needed elsewhere.

Ali left RISSE for some of the same reasons I did, and I wish him well.

I also believe in limiting the amount of money I ask for. So we parted ways, Ali was upset and so was I. But we are in touch and I have great respect for him and the work he is doing. I hope we can work together again someday.

Visiting this convenience store reminded me of how complex money is in our lives.

Zinnia, as always, was wonderful, she greeted people in the parking lot and played with Dr. Harden’s young son. I value her company. She gets me.

This task wasn’t so small, but I am proud of what we did, and in challenging times.

Among the refugees, it is often a life and death issue. There isn’t enough money out there to meet all of their needs, so I have learned to focus our small acts of great kindness. Bishop Maginn is the right place for me to be. I work so well with Mike Tolan, the school principal, and Sue Silverstein.

I admire the dedication and compassion of the faculty.

Anyway, thanks again for supporting this laptop campaign. It will make a huge difference in the lives of children who value their education but have few modern technological tools. You have helped to change that.