Category: Service

Being of service

3/27/2019

The other day a parent whose child was killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy took his own life. So many thoughts and feeling sweep through my mind/body/spirit. I will share one.
How dare I worry about my life! I’d better stop perseverating on the meaning of my life and start acknowledging all my good fortune. My faith tells me that my purpose is to be of service to others.
This should be simple. It can be done in silence and solitude.

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Viewing the world through the lens of service

1/31/2018

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For the past six months I’ve been volunteering at Open Table, a food pantry in the town adjacent to mine. I started going once a month with my church, but now, whenever possible, I sign up for the 12:45-4 Tuesday shift, the day the seniors come. In spite of the fact that I loved the kindergarten and first graders I taught for twenty-five years, my favorite age these days is seniors. Maybe it’s because I am one of them. Although I am not lonely, I understand their need to tell their story. Although I have plenty of food on my table, I understand their need to make their own choices of the food they put in their carts.
One of my fellow volunteers often uses the word ‘service’ in our conversations. Service is the lens through which she views the world. Obvious things such as serving at Open Table, but also as a way to think about what we do and how we act out in the world.

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There's got to be a food pantry near you!

9/2/2017

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Last Tuesday I volunteered at the food pantry at Open Table in Maynard. Out of my bubble I popped, or more accurately said, my bubble expanded. I worked the afternoon shift, set apart for the elderly and Asian population. Many arrived in vans from their community housing, a few came on their own. The times were scheduled to avoid crowding.
My job was to help individuals select the produce and canned goods they needed. Some wanted to be certain they weren’t taking more then their allotted share, others needed help with that. Many just wanted to chat about their selections as they walked along with their carts.
I was reminded of shopping with my mom. As she leaned on the cart for support and balance, we’d discuss the ripeness of tomatoes or size of melons. Yes, it was about helping, but more importantly, about companionship and being together.
There's got to be a food pantry near you. Find it and help out.

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Being of service

Viewing the world through the lens of service

There's got to be a food pantry near you!

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