Caring and sharing

What a topsy-turvy day the first of February was. I had a “free” day: simply the absence of any and all formal arrangements – still a lot to do, but nothing obligatory.

I was slow to get up for my coffee.

I had thought to eventually make the rounds of some of my favorite places throughout the canton such as the recycling center to drop off paints and the like that can’t be left on the curb, to take the sack of gathered items to the Salvation Army and the like, but already before leaving for the village I had nixed all that in favor or a quiet day in and around home.

So: few clients in the mini-mart and I was able to have coffee with the owner who shared some of his dreams. A client came in who had forgotten his wallet (on bike) – no problem I applied the concept of a “forgotten coffee” or whatever it is that they call it. The client in turn helped the owner pick up the models on the sidewalk that started falling over in the wind. An invitation for fondue was received – and accepted.  What else will the day bring? It is sometimes marvelous to go with the flow!

So in honor of “getting something done” after making my lunch date I decided to run a few errands including making the mad dash to the complex in the next village down to post a letter to a good friend: I was only a couple of months behind! That had me running into yet more acquaintances and had me late for lunch. Wanted to let H know, but, oops had left my cell phone at home. So had to swing by the house to leave the groceries then send a quick text to apologize. By the time I got there it was almost 13:00. Never mind H had also wanted to call me and say that he was running late, but didn’t have time! He needed to do a couple more things before our fondue – no problem; two of the City Councilors that I know were chatting in the rear so I joined them.

H eventually did get the fondue done – we had a delightful meal and were only “bothered” a couple of times by real clients. However, by the time we finished, it was going on 15:00 and I had eaten enough to need a nap.

The evening was much quieter, but the next day I first had a political coffee, ie one to meet the candidates for our upcoming city elections, then the family was here for lunch – my late husband’s favorite: grilled chicken, brussel sprouts and rice with gravy to celebrate his life. It is hard to imagine that it has been twenty years!

I quickly went to the local bakery for a slice of cake to share with my current housemate before settling in at home.

All in all a very good time was had caring and sharing both the joys and the sorrows.

The Supporters

And, no I don’t mean football, basketball, baseball, volleyball or soccer fans.

Rather, I am thinking of those persons who in the face of adversity or crises are

capable of becoming someone to lean on, someone to listen, someone to provide that which is momentarily lacking be it food, drink, telephone calls and a host of other actions and items way too long to list.

We sometimes call some of them “carers”, but by supporters I also mean those who by one simple or non-repetitive task make another’s life easier.

My aunt (mother’s younger sister) was one such: in her professional life as she was unmarried she would take on the holiday surgery schedule so that other nurses with families could be home; she provided fresh baked goodies most weekends (not that my mother was a slouch in that department herself), she it was who gave us those toys (namely dolls, stuffed animals and watches) that were beyond my parent’s wallets.

When my father passed away, my mother’s church had a group that supplied the food for the reception; when my mother passed away, the same group provided her children with food for that reception.  And when my little sister passed away there were her friends to help us bind the community.

When my husband died, many a supportive deed was accomplished in our favour, but I am also talking of those who by their acts of listening to the lonely mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, neighbour etc. are supportive.

If I mention the supporters it is because they are rarely acknowledge: their assistance and care often taken for granted, but who of us can get through life without having the odd “hand up”?  They smooth life’s paths, ease life’s challenges and aid in facing adversity. 

Without the selfless giving of one’s time or talents, life would be so much poorer.

I salute those who give their place in line to someone more rushed; to those who provide coffee or tea for all entering their sphere during times of stress and grief; to those who print the photos or type the programs; to those who polish (unasked) someone else’s shoes; to those who walk an elderly/handicapped person across the street; to those who make the phone calls after accidents; to those who aid someone who has fallen in public to get back up and who stop long enough to make sure that they are o.k.; to those who by their presence make life a little bit easier, warmer and loving.

Heart from Harmony