Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A few weeks ago, celebrated author, poet and performer Carol Lynn Pearson contracted a severe case of double pneumonia and had to be hospitalized.
Now her community — a conglomeration of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LGBTQ people and feminists — is rallying to support her during her recovery so she can go home safely.
Pneumonia led to complications with her heart. And after weeks of fighting to live, the "Goodbye, I Love You" author was moved to a rehabilitation center. She's currently working with medical professionals around the clock to improve her lung and heart function and regain her strength and mobility.
During her hospitalization, a group of Pearson's friends went to clean and organize her house. They noticed that her home was starting to show its age and needed repairs in order for her to be warm and safe enough to continue recovering at home when she's able.
Pearson has been living in her house in Walnut Creek, California, for over 50 years. She purchased it with her own money she made from writing, which was an extremely unusual accomplishment for a woman writer at the time. She raised her four children there.
"She made it clear to me that she had accomplished that home. She would never leave that home. It meant so much to her," Pearson's friend-turned-family-member Reed Cowan said. "It's a lovely, warm, sentimental place that is truly her sacred spot. You can feel it from the minute you walk in. There's not one corner that's not sentimental, spiritual, sacred, and yet simple, like any other grandma's house."
In front of her house is a meditation garden with a path of seashells. And on the front door is a sign that reads, "Every family has a story." And this house tells so much of hers.
The house overflows with love, Cowan said. There are friendly dogs underfoot and thriving houseplants everywhere. Trevor Southey paintings flower the walls.
When you walk into the house, you see the front room with a painting of Pearson's children featured on the wall. That's the room where Pearson cared for her gay husband, Gerald, in the last few months of his life, singing to him while he lay on the couch, dying of AIDS in 1984.
Up the stairs, past the photos of weddings and happy grandchildren, is her office — full of diaries she's filled out diligently throughout her life.
Stewart said that he wants to focus on making necessary changes to this space in particular so she can come home and finish all the projects she has in mind.
Pearson's past projects have created healing and compassion around historically contentious topics, like advocating for queer people and women while holding fast to her faith in the Church of Jesus Christ.
Cowan described Pearson as someone who knows the "healer's art," as mentioned in the hymn "Lord, I Would Follow Thee."
She has served as a healing bridge between the Latter-day Saint, feminist and LGBTQ communities, he added, "honoring the good hearts in all those communities as they have grappled with tough issues and seeing the god-light in all those communities."
Considering how much Pearson gives to others and the potentially high medical costs, "we knew that it was more than she was going to be able to afford in the short term," said Craig Stewart, Pearson's former bishop. He was sure that her friends and the people in her ward and stake would be willing to contribute.
Pearson is not at all the kind of person who would ask for this kind of help on her own, Stewart explained. So a couple of them, including Stewart, created a GoFundMe* to help. At first they only sent it out to a few local people.
Then the word spread. And after discussing the proposal with Pearson, they decided to share the GoFundMe on her author page on Facebook. Since then, people have made close to 500 donations, amounting to more than $30,000.
"I'm just surprised that anybody would be interested," Pearson said when Cowan asked her how she felt about the fundraiser.
That kind of response is typical of Pearson, Cowan explained. "She's humbled and overwhelmed. She's not a woman who goes through life with a huge sense of her own importance or greatness."
Cowan, who has known Pearson for over two decades, said if she could speak with each person who has donated any amount, she would say, "Oh, bless you, bless you, bless you, you dear sweet souls."
Pearson's sister reads her every comment on the fundraiser page.
According to the GoFundMe description, "Any financial assistance you can provide will be used for medical purposes, essential changes to her home, and other needs that may arise."
Stewart clarified that all of the money will be going to help fulfill Pearson's basic needs, like having a warm, safe place to live and recover.
"She really has devoted her life to helping people and serving people. She's gone out of her way to look out for the marginalized and the down and out, often at great sacrifice to her own circumstances and needs," he said. "You should know that it's going to things that really are needed. She's in need because of how much she's given."
Cowan said that he truly hopes that she can safely go back home to her little corner of heaven soon.
The last time Cowan was in that room, Pearson played "O, My Father" for him on the piano. It's one of many times a visit has turned into a singalong. When her kids are around, "they ooze talent," he said.
"Guitars come out of hidden corners, and there's singing and poetry reading," Cowan continued. "It's a cacophony of music and poetry and ideas and a mind that does not stop trying to understand the supermind that is God."
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
