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Guest Column

Funyuns and $5 kick-start dream

By STEFANI BUSANSKY
Published September 14, 2007

Sister Mary Watson introduced my 2-year-old daughter, Sarah, to Funyuns. Remember them? The underachieving stepsister with onion breath competing against her more popular relatives in the Frito-Lay snack family.

Twice a week Sister Mary and I would chat in the Tampa General Rehab waiting area. She cared for an elderly woman who had had a stroke, and I waited for Sarah to finish working with Vickie, her physical therapist.

It was 2001. Sept. 11 was constant conversation along with mundane topics like weather, football, Dillard's sales and who - besides Sister Mary and Sarah - actually ate Funyuns.

Sarah loved them, so Sister Mary kept bringing them.

Vickie and I also talked a lot about starting a Boundless Playground project. We had a start-up kit and lots of ideas but lacked time and motivation to start up. One day, Sister Mary interrupted another dreamy conversation about accessible playgrounds for all children.

"I'm tired of hearing y'all talk about this," she said. "You never do anything."

With that admonishment she reached in her Funyun-filled handbag and pulled out a crumpled $5 bill. "Here, this is your first donation. ... Now go get your dream."

I took her money and went home. For a week it changed positions on the fridge, the bulletin board and finally the junk drawer. I felt responsible, guilty and hopeful when I saw it.

Finally, I put it in the bank and started a playground fund. Vickie and I went to work. Like the Funyun, we were not the most popular. It took some convincing to make people try us.

If you think $5 and Funyuns can't achieve a dream, just ask Sister Mary. All you need is hope and a few people to keep you on the shelf.

Note: Stefani Busansky wants to thank Mary Watson personally for the motivation to start the Freedom Playground project, but she has no idea how to reach her. She hasn't seen Watson in six years and learned just a few details about her: Watson was African-American and a caretaker for the elderly. She was a member of an African Methodist Episcopal church where she used the title "sister" and was, perhaps, middle-aged. And of course, she liked Funyuns. If you think you know Watson or how to contact her, call Busansky at 813 254-3804.

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[Last modified September 13, 2007, 07:50:56]