Support Bonnie Sue and Co. at Reality

Friends,

Many of you have likely heard of, or have even been fortunate enough to meet the greatness that is Bonnie Sue. Perhaps you've been wondering how this legendary woman's and my paths crossed.

Bonnie is one of my best friends. She is loyal, persistent, hilarious, generous, reassuring, loving, wise, tender, sassy, and speaks the best Spanglish of anyone I know. To know her is to love her, and to constantly pee your pants laughing. Every morning (literally, every morning), I receive a phone call around 8am sharp. She's usually demanding that I "get my skinny *exploitive* out of the bed" (never mind that I am already well on my way to meetings and conference calls abundant), but it's one of her favorite "cranks" to pull on me, and it's my favorite way to start my day.

When together, B and I love to peruse the Durham Farmer's Market hand-in-hand while I encourage her negotiating skills as she haggles with the local farmers for free sausage and vegetables. We drink champagne when a celebration is in store. We live for our brunch dates at Foster's Market. We laugh with and love on the rest of the Corner House crew (Tony, Ms. T, Erin, Greg, Janice, Joyana, Eli and Lee - Bonnie's amazing friends with whom she lives and who have become her family). Last July, B  joined me on a trip to my hometown of Omaha, NE - the "vacation of a lifetime," she says - where my entire family fell in love with her and airport strangers and passersby got to witness our unique friendship. People see us and often assume that I care for her, but they have no idea the ways she cares for me. She has walked with me through my most difficult seasons and has championed my victories. Her persistent pursuit of connection and relationship with me astounds me. Most days, I hardly feel deserving of a friend like her.

An organization called Reality Ministries brought us together. Reality is a local nonprofit in Durham, NC, and is a place for people with and without disabilities to simply coexist; to do life together, to bridge the gap between "us vs. them," and to love and be loved without bounds. At Reality, we believe in the power and meaning of relationships. Sometimes it's messy, as is life. But at Reality, people of all colors, sizes, genders, backgrounds and abilities are living together, side-by-side in community with one another. It's a rare gift, and is the way I believe we were always meant to live. 

Reality needs to raise much-needed funds to help ensure our doors can reopen once it's safe to do so, so that our incredible friends can again experience the heart of connection and belonging. Many people with disabilities are more susceptible than most to particular medical risks, and, at the same time, are more likely to experience isolation and loneliness. Our doors have been closed since March, and while Zoom meetings, phone calls and drive-bys sure lift our spirits, many of our friends are really feeling the brunt of the COVID impact. Will you join me in donating to the mission that has captivated my heart to help support Bonnie and the rest of our friends at Reality? It would mean the world to us. To help make your donation even sweeter, we, as a Board, have agreed to match all donations that come in up to $71,000 through June 30. 

With ALL our love,

Michelle and Queen B