Let Me Get Serious for a Minute

Last night, Sister and I went to the City's homeless facility on Taylor Street to help serve meals with a group from church.

I had a lot of stereotypes and hesitations in mind as we pulled up, but they were soon dispelled. The old Three Rivers Festival office has been turned into an adequate shelter, and they seemed to have it in good order.

Before we did our kitchen duty, we took a short tour. I was shocked to see what looked like 50-75 twin beds row after row in one room, each with a woman's name on it. Some had stuffed animals and Beanie Babies them. I don't even like to sleep with my bedroom door open, and I couldn't imagine what it must be like sleeping in a room with that many other people.

Our group then prepared dinner - tuna sandwiches and applesauce. We did well with what we had to work with in the sparse kitchen and learned a lot about the operation while we were working.

When the homeless came to eat, I was surprised at what I saw. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but most looked like average people you'd see on the street, perhaps a little worse for wear. As I greeted them and helped serve, one middle-aged woman shock my hand and introduced herself as Pam. When I told her my name, she was saying that women named Mary are the strongest women in the world, that Jesus' mother was a Mary. I helped another find a sandwich on bread with "no seeds." And probably the person I'll remember the most was a woman who asked, "Don't we get any cookies tonight?" I wanted to run out and buy her a bag of the best cookies in the world.

We all have so much to be thankful for. I often complain about things that seem SO trivial - not being able to find pants that fit just right or bad service at the Starbucks in Aberdeen - but these folks don't even have a place to call their own. And I kept thinking about my sweet pets that add so much to my life - not only do I probably spend more on my bubbies in a week than they have in a month, maybe a year - they can't experience the love of a pet in a homeless shelter.

So here's how you can help. The next time you're grocery shopping, add something to your list for the homeless shelter. You don't have to spend a fortune. Here are some of the things they can use: coffee, sugar, plastic sandwich bags, cookies. Just buy one of those items, and you don't even have to take them by there if you aren't comfortable. I pass the shelter every day on the way back and forth to work. I can come get your donation and drop it by. And if you have any interest in helping in the kitchen, with a group, let me know. I'm going to try to go back and help as my schedule allows.

Now I'll lighten up - I got the most FABULOUS PINK Christmas tree for Sister's collection today! As soon as I get these computers switched, hopefully by tomorrow, I'll be posting pix!

And yes, I DID just figure out how to change the color of the text! Watch out!