“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” – Rabindranath Tagore
A message from our Founder, Judith Eugene
The idea for The Loving Hands Group was both an “Aha!” moment as well as a culmination of events and life experiences that led to something that it seems was always there, just waiting for the right time to be discovered.
When my mother passed away in 2009, three hundred people attended her memorial service. She was a loving, giving person who triumphed over alcoholism and cancer to become a teacher, sponsor, role model and friend to many people. She devoted her life to helping others feel loved. Her journey of personal growth took forty years. As her daughter, I had the great fortune of observing the labors and fruits of her journey, instead of having to spend forty years learning the lessons myself.
I had always planned to make a positive mark on the world through giving. My retirement dream was, and still is, to build a sanctuary for homeless and abused animals. But when my mother suddenly died, realizing that if I continued to wait until tomorrow, tomorrow might never come. So I started formulating ideas for ways I could start to help those in need like my mother did. I decided to leave my architectural career and pick up where my mother left off – helping people to feel valuable, and advocating that each one of us is important and has something to offer, no matter what our age or abilities may be.
The inspiration and ideas for the organization started flowing, but I couldn’t find the right name for it. Then I realized that, when we use our talents and gifts to help others, they are often extended through our hands. That was the “Aha” moment when our name and mission were born.
“Leap and the net will appear.” – Zen Proverb
It’s a little scary to walk away from a good paying career to live a simple life in service to others. But I have found that when you follow your heart and live an honest life of love and compassion, the net always appears. And by following this path I am hoping to make a positive difference in the lives of three hundred people like my mother did…maybe even three hundred and one.
May peace, love and joy fill your days,
Judith Eugene
Founder, The Loving Hands Group
