Vicki Hitzing
The divisions of light from dark are common themes in our world, in movies and literature and speech. The darker elements of our nature are chided as the dwelling place for evil thoughts and cruel gestures. In the light we discover truth and joy and even love. If ever there was a person who carried light into dark places it would be Vicki Hitzing-Waldron.
In HIV/AIDS there can be a great deal of darkness. Families who forget themselves and forget to love their infected sons and daughters. Friends and lovers who distance themselves for fear of infection by association. Some might say that isn't as true today as it was two decades ago. Perhaps, but we still find such dingy thinking. And that presence of neglect and ignorance demands hearts as resilient as Vicki's was for so many for so very long.
Whether it was her tireless work with our area's World AIDS Week Committee or her years with River Region Human Services that brought Vicki's name to your ears doesn't matter. Knowing that she was there, lovingly advocating for people she didn't know other than to know their needs is enough. Understanding that some people still love purely for the sake of sharing grace is sufficient to rebuild faith.
Vicki was no saint and would have been the first to announce it. She was simply good. A good woman with an open heart and a willingness to be present in the lives and for the souls damaged by the disinterest of the general population.
To understand the value of a woman like Vicki doesn't require resume or laundry list of accomplishments. It only asks that whenever those of us she blessed with her spirit have a moment of doubt that the work we do for others is unappreciated or insignificant we reflect on the selfless example of Vicki, a person who thought little of herself and as much as she could of others.
- by Avery Garner
In HIV/AIDS there can be a great deal of darkness. Families who forget themselves and forget to love their infected sons and daughters. Friends and lovers who distance themselves for fear of infection by association. Some might say that isn't as true today as it was two decades ago. Perhaps, but we still find such dingy thinking. And that presence of neglect and ignorance demands hearts as resilient as Vicki's was for so many for so very long.
Whether it was her tireless work with our area's World AIDS Week Committee or her years with River Region Human Services that brought Vicki's name to your ears doesn't matter. Knowing that she was there, lovingly advocating for people she didn't know other than to know their needs is enough. Understanding that some people still love purely for the sake of sharing grace is sufficient to rebuild faith.
Vicki was no saint and would have been the first to announce it. She was simply good. A good woman with an open heart and a willingness to be present in the lives and for the souls damaged by the disinterest of the general population.
To understand the value of a woman like Vicki doesn't require resume or laundry list of accomplishments. It only asks that whenever those of us she blessed with her spirit have a moment of doubt that the work we do for others is unappreciated or insignificant we reflect on the selfless example of Vicki, a person who thought little of herself and as much as she could of others.
- by Avery Garner
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