A Story Worth Sharing.....

It was back in January of this year, when I was sitting at O'Charley's with a dear friend of mine and her cell phone rang. It was a number she didn't recognize, and since the restaurant was so loud at the time, she didn't answer. They left her a voice mail message stating it was the Cee Bee Food Store in Brownsville, and she had won their weekly drawing. She had just been in there shopping a few days prior and had registered for it. Needless to say, it made her very happy because she stated that she considered herself not very lucky and for that fact never won anything. I, along with some other friends that we were having dinner with were so excited for her, and made the comment that we couldn't wait for her to go claim her prize and whip us up a tasty dinner. However, at this present time she was living in a rental house with only a few burners to cook with, and we knew it would have to wait until she got moved into her beautiful, new home. This all occurred on a Saturday afternoon, and on the following Monday morning I got a text from this beautiful person telling me that her and her husband had talked it over and that they would much rather give away the 100.00 gift certificate to someone who may need it other than keep it for themselves. Knowing that I was the Director of the Adult Day Care Center in Brownsville, she thought I may know a special person that could really benefit from this. I tried to persuade her that it was so kind and generous for her to do such a nice thing, but that I always tried to make sure my folks had plenty to eat and for her to keep it for her family. She insisted that we should do this, so I thought for just a few seconds, and my mind quickly visualized the perfect client of mine to give it to. So, think with me for a minute why I felt that this would be the perfect person who could use a little assistance in the cold winter months when heat bills are high and he is trying to make it on his own. Someone confined to a wheelchair, who lives alone since his elderly mother passed away several months before this, and who to this day is so proud to be independent and living in his own home with the help of our Adult Day Care program and home health. I told my friend that I would need to talk it over with him and make sure it was okay because I valued his pride and knew that he never liked to take assistance from anyone no matter how bad he needed it. I talked it over with him, and at first he was very hesitant and requested that there was someone else who could use it worse than him. I explained to him that she was a good Christian girl and she just wanted to help him out. With tears in his eyes and tears in mine, we hugged and he said if I thought it was okay then he was okay with it too. I called up my friend and told her that he had accepted her generous offer. We then set a time to meet and go shopping because she wanted me to help since I knew him and what he would need. I compiled a list defining some needs and wants of his, and then we met for lunch at Subway and then headed to the Cee Bee. I got lots of necessities for him in case the electric went off, and then some things that I knew he really liked. My friend and I had a great time shopping for this sweet guy and I know it made both of our hearts feel warm and fuzzy doing this. I took all of his items back to the center, and then that afternoon my driver deliver it to his house. He was so thankful, and told me to please make sure I told her how much he appreciated her kindness. I replied by telling him that we would set down together and make her a thank you card soon...I really thought she would like that. He agreed!
Well, it wasn't but a few days after this that he went into the hospital with some serious medical issues, and we never got to set down and do a thank you. He was in the hospital for several months and then in rehab. However, I was sitting in my office yesterday afternoon, and he wheeled himself up to my door as he does many times throughout the week and knocked on it. I turned around in my chair and said "What's up sweetheart?" He said, "You know that girl that bought me those groceries back in the winter months when I was having a hard time?" I said, "I sure do! I will probably see her tonight at prayer meeting." He said, "I been thinking about that and her here lately, and the world would sure be a better place if there was more people like you and her in it." I gave him a hug and thanked him for his sweet compliment. He then proceeded to say, "I never made her a thank you card, and when I laid in the hospital all those day, I kept thinking when I get out of here I need to do that." I had tears flowing down my face, because for those of you who know me very well, you know that I have the most tender heart and it craves helping people like this. I said, "Then lets get busy! I will help you gather all the essential tools to make your card and you tell me what you want it to say and I will write it for you." He smiled really big! Together we made a great card and I delivered it to this precious friend of mine last night at prayer meeting. Alicia Edwards, YOU ARE THE BEST! I am so thankful to God for such a wonderful Christian friend like you, and for all of the great friends that I have in my life! Some I talk to or text everyday, some I only talk to once a month, and some only occassionally. But, I can't imagine my life without each and every one of you in it. You will never know how much you mean to me! I know this is a story that will never make national news, but in mine and my client's heart it will forever be remembered and cherished. Today, I have just been thinking about how important it is to always try to be a friend to those in need, remembering that you could be in their shoes tomorrow. That is how my heart has felt today...I would love to just be a FRIEND to anyone that I could!

Thank you again Alicia...your kindness was so appreciated by someone in need!

This is the card that he and I put together...He colored all the picutres and I did the writing for him...It made him feel complete that he finally was well enought to make her a thank you card!

This was the inside...He is so special to me, and I know if he could get up he would be helping people just like Alicia helped him. I am so thankful for my job...it is very rewarding!