Treasured Moments

Sometimes I just stop and say thanks for a treasured moment..this happened again this week.

The social worker called from the UVA Cancer Center and said I have a young woman from northern Virginia who needs to be kept over until Monday for another diagnosis. She’s here alone; she can remain. Her ride must return home. Can you help with these five days for her fee at hospitality house? I said yes. Does she have food money? The answer: She has $3.00 total.

On Thursday we sent a note to Dr. Weber at the Cancer Center for advice on what to buy in frozen dinners for a patient in order to maintain a proper diet to do no harm. I am aware of ingredients, since cancer has more than touched this family. He e-mailed back with a note that the Cancer Center Dietician would relate information. The response came quickly and off I went to buy 40 dinners (Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc.) for delivery to HH to supplement their can food and mixes (non-perishables) which are provided through food drives.

Those forty dinners will provide an opportunity for easily prepared hot meals for this particular patient and a few more patients at HH without funds over the next few days. $34.50 for 40 meals, an hour to shop, an hour to ice them down for travel and delivery to town… and the task was secured.

I was delighted with the kind note and response from Dr. Michael Weber and the Dietitian. But there was another person in the mix today who made me stop and take a breath.

While checking out at the local food market, the young man bagging the frozen dinners said, “Wow, you must really love those pot pies and dinners.” I smiled and said, “They are for a charity in town.” The young man stopped for a moment, reached into his pocket and handed me five dollars and asked me to buy a few dinners from him.

This kid, I learned is working two jobs, and going to school and just handed me enough money to buy five(5) meals. It was such an easy, lovely reaction. It was also unsolicited and unexpected. I waited to feel the emotion once outside.

Winter is coming. The increase in lodging requests is rising. Many of those stayovers are waiting for a doctor to see them in the Cancer Center. Many will not have funds for a hot meal. This holiday season try to initiate a habit of just a few dollars for this very intimate and effective direct and immediate assistance program. Your generosity is needed. Your check, even the smallest, is tax deductible.

Blessings…Rev. Elisheva