By 9AM yesterday I had made 4 key lime pies (yogurt based). I love to cook and had a lot of fun making them up - which didn't take any time at all. After a few hours to allow them to 'set', I began distributing them. One went to our neighbor on the right - she had a birthday last week (got it on my calendar now) so told her it was to celebrate her birthday. Later in the day I took one across the street, along with a prayer shawl, to our neighbor whose companion passed away on the 12th, and we just found out about it. I had never met her in person - we have only waved across the street for the past two years. I went in and visited with her for about 30 minutes, taking a break from work. She is in her 80's and walks with a walker. She has some health issues. Met her son who was there getting rid of the companions' things and taking them to 'Four Paws' for resale. The companion was a friend whose wife had passed several years ago and he just wanted a place to stay. He lived in the other bedroom. I had also waved to him across the street, but had never met him up close. Anyway, she loved the shawl and was so appreciative of it. It was a nice visit.
Later in the afternoon I took another pie next door on our left, to our neighbor who had the stroke last week. Needed to check on her anyway. Her daughter would love to put her in an assisted living place, but the mother is refusing to leave her home. She really does need help - but she is 'borderline' - can still do things on her own, but needs someone to check on her and make sure she eats and gets up and moves. The daughter is asking for someone to come in and stay 9-6 on weekends as she has someone who comes 9-3 Monday through Friday. I guess I need to stop in and visit at least once a week - or call and check on her during the week.
And after dinner, I took 1/2 of the last pie over to another neighbor who is single. We shared the pie with her as hubby had asked 'aren't you keeping any for us?'. We had a piece, then I put another piece in the refrigerator and took the rest over. She was on a zoom call but was grateful for the pie. She still works - I think she had said one of those places where they put the food together for you.... might be something to check in to for a couple of my neighbors so that they will eat. I'll have to find out more about it and let the others know about it.
So now, other than the one piece in the refrigerator for hubby, all the pies are gone. That was fun for me. I got to touch base with four of my neighbors, actually meet one of them, (I was also working so never could stay long, taking a break) and my mind is churning with ideas on making a little more when I cook for us that I can take over to the two women who do not cook and need to eat to keep their bodies strong. I know, not my responsibility, but it's food! And I love to cook! It wouldn't hurt to throw in a couple extra chicken thighs and make a nice dish for them as well. We don't have to have leftovers - in fact, many times the leftovers get thrown out, spoiled. Why not pass them on to a neighbor who doesn't cook and let them have a 'home cooked' meal? Cooking for others always has brought me joy and I love to cook. Is this a new thing God is calling me to do? To help with the widows that are in my neighborhood? Novel thought! His Word says to take care of widows and orphans.
James 1:27 (NKJV): "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
Not to say any are in trouble... but they do need some assistance, I see, in food preparation or just having someone to talk to. The lady across the street has a daughter who visits every night after work. Her son comes occasionally to visit for a bit. The neighbor next door on my left has a caregiver during the week until 3PM. Then is left alone in evenings and weekends. She had been driving, but I think she needs to stop that now. She is 87 and does need to quit. She can barely walk, let alone drive! The neighbor on the right, found out her daughter moved in with her two weeks ago so she has someone with her.
I look at these women and wonder what led them to where they have difficulty taking care of themselves. Did they just quit living once they were alone? I get it; that would be easy to do. I have to keep busy (work), and I have to cook (meals for hubby) - just being alone could cause someone to not do anything anymore if they didn't work or were not involved in anything. They quit living, sometimes. I don't want to be like that. If nothing else, seeing these women in this way, causes me to be more determined to keep cooking, keep eating (yum) and keep active. No one can take better care of me than me. And Jesus. I refuse to be a burden on my children. So I need to take good care of me now, so that I won't be a burden later.
Have you checked on your neighbors lately? Is there one who needs just a short visit to know that someone cares about them? That someone acknowledges that they are there? I can imagine our older generation - of which I am quickly becoming one of - feels left out of a lot of things - usually by choice, but often no more than just age and being unable to do the things they used to do. For example, hubby and I don't get out much with others at all. We have now joined a bible study group from church so that helps give us some social life. We go physically to church and are meeting people. It actually feels good to get out from these four walls that encircle us day after day.
We are not called to live alone. We are called to help others. I'm healthy and strong and love to cook. I love people (as a rule). Maybe ... just maybe... God is telling me it's time to be a friend to these widows who live alone, and not just a casual acquaintance. Quit using work as an excuse. I can take breaks. I don't have to see them all the same day. I can also just pick up the phone and give them a call and see if they are ok. Need to get a couple telephone numbers though cause I don't have them all. In time.
And now, need to jump in the shower and get ready for work. Friday. I've thought it was 'Friday' the last two days so glad it finally caught up with my thinking! Two more weeks until a week's vacation in cooler temperature. So looking forward to getting away. It will give me focused time as well to pray about this new ' ministry' and if that is what God is calling me to do at this time in my life. Sometimes we just need to wait on His timing. I've always wanted to be involved in community. What better way to do it than take care of my widowed neighbors?
Have an awesome day!
Blessings!
