tuesdays with elna....

Every Tuesday I get the privilege of being a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. I absolutely love it and look forward to it every week. I know I get more out of it than I put in. The first stop is to a couple named Elna and Nephi. They have been married over 65 years. I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but this couple is the top of the list.

Elna spent her life volunteering in the local Senior Center. She always tells me everyone has a story and if people would just take long enough to hear the stories of others there would be more kindness int he world. This past spring she fell and shattered her leg. She has been home bound ever since. She is a character. I have written about her before. She always smiles and is so happy to see me. I wish I could sit and talk with her for longer than I do. She has a twinkle in her eye, and a loud laugh that is so fun.

Since she has been hurt, she has been crocheting little lap size afghans. She has a spare bedroom in her house that currently has fifty or more. About every three or more months she has Nephi take them down to a homeless shelter, VA hospital or state hospital. She wants everyone to have something that was handmade so they know someone cares. About once a month she gives me one. I tell her I am fine, but she always wants me to have one. I have a sizeable stack now, and every time I see it, I think of a sweet woman who reaches out in simple ways to help others. She doesn't know how to live her life any other way.

I can't wait for next Tuesday with Elna.

van vs garbage can

garbage can 1....van 0

Today was garbage day. Kelly took out the cans to the curb. There was a pile of ice and snow near the curb so he placed them partially in the driveway assuming I would see them and back around. What was he thinking? Hasn't he been married to me for nearly 20 years?

I should backtrack and explain that due to my driving skills, sprinkler heads in the flower beds banking the driveway are nearly extinct. Once Kelly bought a four foot reflector on a pole and put it in the corner of the flowerbed and driveway, thinking that would help my backing skills. One day I backed right over it and it popped right back up, much to his chagrin and the entertainment it brought to my neighbors who were all visiting nearby. Kelly has hung a tennis ball from a long rope in the garage ceiling in hopes of my van staying on it's side of the garage. At least twice a week he has to repark my car so he can get in. Since I am confessing my sins, I should probably mention the time (it was ten years ago) that I backed out and clipped his truck which was new at the time. It put a small dent and a deep scratch along the side.

I need to clarify that I always look for children and moving objects behind me, but I am not so great with boundaries, or objects that stay in one place. I could blame it on genetics. My mom once backed over a light post three feet into the yard. And my younger sister has single handedly taken out multiple garage doors and her in laws car. All in all, Kelly lucked out with me, don't you think?

Note: I did order a new taillight and it will take a dent out of my shoe and chocolate budget. :( I am sure next week Kelly will put the cans across the street. I haven't wandered that far yet.