962 PINEY WAY

MORRO BAY

CALIFORNIA

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805.772.2840

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Haz clic aquí HOMILIAS EN ESPAÑOL

 

A LETTER FROM RUDOLF BUDGINAS

 

 

Dear Father Ed and St. Timothy’s,

 

I don’t know where to start and how to express what is going through my mind and my heart.  The Fire that wiped out our homes in Sonoma and Napa counties is not as powerful as the power of the human kindness that brings people’s hopes from the ashes.

 

Yes, my family lost its home.  We lost the battle against nature.  I hope that nobody will experience that feeling of seeing your home as smoldering ashes.  A Home is the symbol of stability, success, peace, dreams, celebration and other things that help us recharge for the next day.

 

It is not the burned things (like a piano, motorcycle, expensive wines or paintings) that makes the situation tragic.  It is the fear of starting again after dreaming and building for so many years.

 

My grandfather had to start from zero and build his home twice during Soviet times.  Once in Siberia during Stalin’s deportations and a second time when he returned to his home country.  My father and my mother also started from nothing.  Next it was my turn.

 

I came to US with one piece of luggage and $400 in my pocket.  I built my American dream for over 20 years — going to schools, getting degrees, looking for jobs, getting jobs, starting a family, building my HOME.

 

St. Timothy’s community was one of the most meaningful stops on the path of building my HOME.  Fr. Ed is my inspiration for looking at life from different perspectives and living life at its fullest.  Over the years at St. Timothy’s I heard his homilies 3 times every Sunday and every time it was different not only in content but also length ;-)

 

In Santa Rosa I had an idyllic Northern California lifestyle in a beautiful and comfortable house with a job that I love, concerts, amazing family trips to Tahoe and Europe, parties and dinners with friends at my house, watching kids play in the neighborhood.

 

A few days ago I lost everything in the firestorm.  Here I am … on a gypsy wagon … (violin music playing) …  No place to call home with 1 bag, 2 children and my most supportive wife.

 

I realized, however, that in building my home I built my community, which cannot be destroyed by a fire.  I had help from friends, and from strangers. I want to thank you for all your support and for your loyalty to our old friendship.  I want to thank Fr. Ed and all of you for being part of my new home.

 

I am ready to build, to live and to celebrate again.  I promise you … I’ll be back.

 

Thank you.  Rudolf Budginas and Family

 

 

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