Goodness Weekly 7.14.25
“Do for one, what you wish you could do for everyone”
–Andy Stanley
WHAT’S GOOD
Recently, we’ve had two opportunities to show up as a community for our neighbors, and we want to share the good you did:
First, during One Another Coffee’s Thrift Pop-Up event, through the sales of gently used clothes, we were able to raise over $500 for Nuevos Vecinos. This was a new endeavor for us, and we were blown away by the way our community showed up.
During this weekend’s Second Saturday, our community showed up with the families of Camp Mystic and all those along the Guadalupe River heavy on our hearts. Together with Sunset Ridge Church of Christ’s Children’s Ministry, we gathered donations for Kerrville Pets Alive! through pet food and through a percentage of One Another Coffee’s profits.
Taking Care of One Another
Taylor Bates, Deputy Director, Sunset Ridge Collective
The past week has been so heavy. I wasn’t directly impacted by the flood in Kerrville, but I’m connected to many who were—and like so many of you, I’ve felt this tragedy deeply. As a parent who has lost a baby, I couldn’t help but imagine the unimaginable: the grief of the parents who lost their children in the flood. I found myself overwhelmed by flashbacks of my own loss while holding the very real, very visceral gratitude for my living children—safe and within arm’s reach.
On Friday, when my husband mentioned there had been flooding on the Guadalupe, I immediately texted a friend whose family lives along the river. Thankfully, they were okay. But none of us yet understood the scope of what had happened.
That evening, we gathered at my in-laws' to watch nearby fireworks from their yard. The dusk sky glowed an incredible pink-orange hue. My sister in-law noticed a cat up in a tree that seemed in need. She coaxed her down, fed her, and the cat stayed with us, even letting my toddlers pet and snuggle her.
We were concerned about her being out on the streets through the night with all the fireworks going off, as the sounds can be unnerving to animals, so we decided to take her in for the night.
As the news of the flooding continued to portray a much more devastating event, I became increasingly starved for information, constantly consuming the latest updates and social media posts, scanning for kernels of hope.
And the cat also now needed us. I texted my neighbor who has several cats and he immediately came over Saturday morning with food, a litter box, and carrier, and even a pink collar with a little bell. We sat on the porch and talked about the flood as we set up a temporary home for the cat.
We took her to the vet to see if she was chipped and upon finding out that she was not, the technician gave us a knowing look—she might be ours now. I scanned NextDoor and other lost pet sites, unable to find a missing cat photo that matched her likeness.
Our kids spent the entire day playing with her. That evening, she curled up in our laps, and I was reminded how a cat’s soft, rhythmic purring has this uncanny ability to soothe a human nervous system.
Several friends have since mentioned the “Cat Distribution System”—this internet theory that the right cat shows up at the right time. I can’t help but smile at the truth of this in our situation. At a time of raw unfolding tragedy so close to home, and when seemingly there was not much we could do about it, we were given a small little creature to take care of. And as we’ve continued to learn after taking her for a wellness appointment she has several issues that would have made it very difficult for her to survive without a home.
A friend recently shared a quote with me: Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. I will assume that many of us feel a lack in ourselves, like we’re not “doing enough” to help in this situation. But perhaps if each of us can just focus on what’s right in front of us and help one person, or one small creature, then everyone would be a little more taken care of.
This Week
Wednesday, July 16th, 11 AM - 1 PM, Open Studio
Saturday, July 19th, 10 AM - Noon, Sourdough Workshop with Lucy from Kismet
Coming Up…
Saturday July 26th, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Watercolor Wellness Workshop: Simple Techniques
Every Wednesday, 11 AM - 1:30 PM, Open Studio Painting
Every Saturday, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Charis Park
Every Sunday, Worship at 9 AM and 11 AM
Event Rentals - Interested in hosting your event at Charis Park or in our facilities? We are currently booking for 2025–please email rentals@sunset-ridge.org
Community Partners: For updated schedules and events please follow One Another Coffee, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, NYX Wellness, Scott’s Pizza, Mission Compost, Sprouts School, Good Acres, and Community First Food Pantry.
Inhale: Help me to see
Exhale: who’s right in front of me
