Making a Difference

Honk, honk, honk! Esther smiled and waved as the cars passed by, their beeping a giant hug of support for the small group from our Quaker meeting. I was 7 years old at the time, and Esther had invited me to come out for this demonstration of support near the farmers’ market a couple blocks from our Quaker meeting house.

Esther was 92 years old. She said to me, “Isabel, never doubt that you can make a difference.” Her words made me feel strong, and I felt myself lifting the banner even higher, a banner that said BLACK LIVES MATTER. Just a few weeks earlier, Esther had led the annual Walk to End Homelessness with our meeting’s First Day School children. We used crayons and markers to make posters. I made one in the shape of a house and decorated it with colorful hearts. We listened to Esther talk about community and the importance of helping those who are unhoused. Toddlers to teens joined the elders of our meeting to walk through the neighborhood surrounding our meeting house, proudly lifting the posters high.

Esther told us all that we were making a difference. She knew a little bit about this, too, having led a group to end segregation at a local amusement park many years before. I treasured my friendship with this cool Quaker elder and loved when she joined our First Day School class to talk about her life. I was delighted a couple years later when Esther agreed to visit my 4th grade class and talk about her activism at the amusement park. From Esther I learned what Quakers mean when they say “Let Your Life Speak”; her light was shining outward and inspired me to look for ways to make a difference in my community.

Fast forward a year, and Covid changed everything. We could no longer have Meeting for Worship in person, and it was hard to stay connected. Not everyone was able to pivot to Zoom meetings easily. I started wondering how to keep people from fading into the background as a result of Covid preventing physical connection. How could I help people in my meeting feel seen and not isolated?

Inspired by Esther, my brother and I started the Shine Bright Club. Our goal was to bring cheer and connection to members of our Quaker meeting. We made cards and sent them to dozens of people in our meeting. I met one on one to teach people about Zoom to make it easier for them to attend virtual Meeting for Worship. I hosted virtual game nights that brought together people of all ages. It felt great to laugh together over funny drawings on Zoom Pictionary. This gave me a sense of purpose and joy during a time that felt isolated with all the loss associated with Covid. Connections matter and we had found a way to bring people together. Quakers of all ages were connecting, leading to new friendships that have lasted long past Covid. Bringing young and old together in Quaker spirit, following in Esther’s footsteps, making a difference. D

Isabel Merideth is a member of Bethesda Friends Meeting. Isabel is a volunteer puppy raiser for the Guide Dog Foundation and an 11th grade student at Sidwell Friends School, though she is currently attending the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki in Wiscasset, Maine. Isabel lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her mom Melissa and brother Oliver.