I was walking in my neighborhood on a warm and sunny day this week, and I had the most delightful encounter. I said hello to an elderly lady, who was also on a walk, and we stopped to chat with one another. She had made her way down my street from the nearby William’s Home, which is described as “an independent living community for ladies.” I can only imagine the memories and stories that are held in the walls of that stately brick building here in Lynchburg. We had a pleasant talk, and I was touched by her warmth and her smile. This encounter reminded me that when things are stressful or we are lonely, even a small diversion like meeting someone new or having a quick conversation, can change our perspective. Sometimes we get stuck inside our own heads; but when we are able to shift our focus, we not only make our lives better, but we gain the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others as well.

At the urging of a few friends, I started volunteering for Meals on Wheels about a year ago. I didn’t really know a lot about Meals on Wheels, but everyone I talked to said they loved doing it and it was a very manageable commitment, so I decided to go ahead and sign up. It was extremely easy, and the only requirement was to answer a few questions and then complete a short training course online. My friend Jenny and I decided to do it together, and I am so glad we did. In addition to delivering meals, we use our time in the car to catch up with each other and give each other support if we need to talk through a situation. It’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned. 

A few months into our deliveries, I remembered that my grandmother Cecelia volunteered for Meals on Wheels in the late eighties with her friend Pansy Brown (What a great name, right?) I can only imagine the conversations that took place between those two sixty-five year old women driving around suburban New Jersey. They played cards together, volunteered together and were close friends for many years. I am grateful that I still have that memory.

Meals on Wheels allows you to look at the available routes, days and times, and pick your own schedule. So twice a month Jenny and I head out to a local furniture store parking lot where we meet up with the Meals on Wheels delivery team. They supply us with two coolers of food; one holds the hot meals, the other holds the drinks and whatever side snack goes with the meal. We get our list of recipients and we’re off! Occasionally the list changes, but for the most part our route has stayed the same. This has allowed us to get to know the people on our route. That’s honestly the best part of Meals on Wheels. Jenny and I are aware if one of our recipients is having a tough day, and we spend a bit more time saying hi and making sure everything is ok. It also makes us feel good when we see someone who may have been struggling at our last visit, who now is physically or mentally in a better place. As someone with aging parents who may need in-home help in the near future, it reminds me to work harder to make sure the interaction I have with each person is positive and meaningful. 

After we’re finished with our deliveries, we return the coolers to a small shed in the same parking lot where we picked up the meals. It probably takes us about an hour and a half to from start to finish. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the easiest ways to make a difference. I read an article this week about what makes us happy. This may come as no surprise to you, but it’s nice to have a reminder every once in a while. Things won’t make us happy. Fame and success won’t make us happy. Personal connections with the people that we love will make us happy. Let’s strengthen our bonds of friendship and love this week, and share that with our community; another win-win in my book.