To Be Seen

You never know what someone is going through.

I was reminded of that today, and also of the fact that somehow my life attracts just what is needed at exactly the right time.  It happens so often that sometimes I overlook it, but today I saw it, and I took time to smile and be thankful.

You see, we sometimes get donations for the Little Yellow Free Pantry that cannot be used.  For example, we don’t put vitamins or medicine in the pantry because children sometimes come alone, and we do not want them to mistake the medicine for candy.  Also because some guests may not be able to read so could take the medicine thinking it was something else, and because some guests do not read English.  We do not put out any open items.  We do not give away pet food.  We do not take diapers because they are too bulky to store.  And we do not put out items that have passed their “best by/expiration” date because we believe that is disrespectful to our guests who may have no other choices for obtaining food.  So, when any of those things are donated, I try to find time to take the extra step of rehoming them so they do not go to waste. 

We also do not put very specialized items in the pantry, because we want to make sure they go where they are most needed.  That’s the category a recent donation fell into.  Someone gave an unopened, unexpired bottle of Pedialyte, a solution that helps rehydrate children.  Instead of putting it in the Little Yellow Free Pantry, where someone might take it to store for future use, I decided to post it online in my local Buy Nothing group to see if anyone had an immediate need for it.

Shortly after I listed it, someone commented, “I am very interested; my son is currently asleep, as he has been very ill and does not want to eat”.  This was the perfect outcome – it would go to a home where it would be used immediately.  I told the woman it was hers and explained where she could come pick it up.  She let me know that she would come on Wednesday (in 2 days), because her son had a follow up appointment then, and it is difficult for her to get around because they take the bus.

I paused.

No matter how busy I am, I hope that I always take time to pause in moments such as that.

She was going to travel across town on the bus to retrieve a bottle of Pedialyte and would probably have to bring her sick child along.

I told her I would be happy to deliver it.

We messaged back and forth a bit and I learned more about the family.  The toddler son has epilepsy, and had a scare recently that meant he ended up in intensive care.  I can’t imagine how frightening that must’ve been for the parents.

Because of the generosity of so many people around the country, we have supplies available to offer to people in need.  So, I asked if perhaps I could bring some food or toiletries when I came with the Pedialyte. 

The sweet woman explained that the family goes to food banks whenever they can, but toiletries have to be paid for out of her husband’s paycheck (SNAP does not cover toiletries).  She cannot work since the baby is so sick.

That was my cue to pack some supplies.  I went into the pantry storage area and chose what I thought would be good items:  cereal, milk, meats, mac and cheese, a kit that has everything to make a cake, pasta and sauce and many other food supplies.  I pulled out some toiletries and cleaning items to give.  In the end, there were 5 heavy bags that I loaded into the car.

Then I remembered…

Yesterday, a neighbor reached out to me out of the blue and asked if we had a need for 2 brand new comforter sets.  She sent me photos and a link, and they looked very nice.

Now, normally I would say “no thank you” to that offer.  We simply do not have space to store bulky things like that, and the Santa Project is right around the corner, meaning very soon our home will be filled floor to ceiling with gifts.  But something told me to accept the comforters…

The donor very kindly brought them over to our home this morning.  They were just as pretty as the photo she had shared, and very soft.  So, I asked the mama with the sick child if she might need a nice comforter.

She responded quickly and told me, “I would like one for this cold weather. The rooms in our apartment get very cold, and there is no central heating or air conditioning. The heat from the living room doesn’t reach the bedroom, and a lot of cold air comes in through the bathroom. It would be very useful, as I currently have to use an extra space heater.”

 

Ahhh, so THAT is why my gut and my heart told me to accept the comforters, even though my head told me I should not.  On the very day I received them, a perfect home for one was found.

I packed the comforters in the car and headed out.

We met in the apartment parking lot.  The sweet woman helped carry all of the heavy bags, and chose the green comforter set.  She was thankful, and embarrassed about her English.  I smiled and explained I was embarrassed about my Spanish. 

I would like to think that the child drank some of the Pedialyte.  That maybe he was tempted by some of the food and at least nibbled a bit and got some nourishment.  I want to imagine that the comforter fit the bed perfectly, and that when they turn in for the night, they will be warm and cozy.

Of course, life doesn’t get better overnight like that.

Tomorrow, the child will still be sick.

The papa will still be working very hard to provide.

The mama will still be stressed and worried, and have here hands very full.

 

But at least, I hope that they will have slept well.  They will have shampooed and shaved and maybe even taken a hot bath with the bubbles they received. 

But more than those physical comforts, they will know that someone cares.  That they are seen.  And they are not alone.

And isn’t that what we all need really?