Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Help From an Unexpected Source

A day or two before Skip came home, I got a call from the minister at the church where we are members. It's the local Unitarian Universalist congregation (for those of you not familiar with UUs, it's on the far left end of the Protestant religion continuum). I went to this church as a kid, when my parents lived here in town. Skip and I started going there about a dozen years ago, but over the last 4 or 5 years have pretty much stopped participating. (It's funny, before we started going, my mother kept telling us to join, as there were lots of lesbian couples there. Turns out, she was right!)

While Skip was in the hospital, she'd asked that it be kept somewhat quiet so as to minimize the number of visitors she received. She prefers only visits from a few close friends and family members. As a result, word didn't get out to members of the congregation until near the end of Skip's stay.

Anyway, the minister, KL, called to give her condolences and offer support. In particular, she told me that some members of the congregation can actively provide support to families like ours at times like this. They can run errands, visit and provide meals. I welcomed the offer of help, especially if someone could provide a dinner here or there. I checked in with Skip, who agreed that would be most welcome, and I let KL know when she called back yesterday that we'd welcome the help.

This morning, I got our first call from a member of the congregation, checking in to see if there was anything we needed today, like an errand run or a meal. With MW cooking tonight, no need for a meal, so we're okay today. But, come Friday, when MW isn't working, I am hoping we'll be able to have someone stop by with a casserole. Frankly, I can't wait!

10 comments:

Have Myelin? said...

I am delighted for you! =) You deserve it!

kmilyun said...

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tim and Janet Meydam said...

Cranky - take all the help from the church ladies that you can get! It will sure help while you get your routine down and your work caught up. You have enough to deal with right now. If they want to help, let 'um help, and maybe you can return the favor someday.

awb said...

Take help where you can get it I always say. Church people tend to mean it when they offer, use it.

Andy

Bibliotekaren said...

Excellent -- UU is quite good about this sort of thing. Hope it turns about to be a consistent and welcome support piece.

Cranky said...

I couldn't agree more! While it's hard for me to accept help, I am looking forward to getting some.

Unknown said...

Praise the Lord and pass the HELP!

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick

steve said...

Holy Casserole!

Diane J Standiford said...

We have considered attending Unitarian church, here in Seattle some wonderful churches. It is just so hard for me to take, knowing I can not give back. It feels like stealing. On the other habd, I have given much, asking/wanting nothing back but my own joy at the chance to help someone. We do feel desperate lately...now getting OUT is so hard...a season and reason for all things. I am thrilled you are getting help and that Skip is accepting. Tell her not to feel weird about it. People NEED to care, she is doing THEM the favor. (And I will keep reminding myself of that.)

Cranky said...

Patrick and Steve - Amen!

Diane - UU congregations work well for us, with Skip a lapsed Catholic and me an atheist. Sorry you're feeling desperate of late, wasn't aware of that (am woefully behind on other blogs).