Helping One Another (Love Thy Neighbor)

I have a neighbor across the street who I really don't know very well. I'm not proud of this, since I'd like to think of myself as an outgoing and welcoming person. But we've never really gotten to know each other. What I do know about her is that her name is Theresa (I know this because our mail lady has accidentally given me her mail once or twice). I know that she has a pleasant smile and wave, as we often find ourselves greeting each other with a smile and wave when checking our mail. I know that together we can shovel a driveway very quickly, as we both have found ourselves helping each other dig out from some crazy Chicago winters. And I know that we both like to talk about the weather, which is what we usually talk about when we are helping each other dig out from these crazy Chicago winters. I know she is single, and she appears to be in her late 40's, early 50's. I know she has a close knit family, because I often see them coming and going from her home. And I know that she seems like a really nice person. But that's about it. I don't really know much else about her.

Oh, except that her father is dying.

I know this, because her father has been living there for a few months, and I've seen nurses and family in and out so regularly that I swear her front door revolves. Last week an ambulance took her fragile father out of her home, and a few days ago, he returned. When I saw her brother (who has been spending each day at the home caring for the father, while Theresa is at work), he said that it was only a matter of time. They brought him home, to die.

Today when I returned home from work, I found my street full of strange cars, and saw lots of faces I had never seen before, walking in and out of Theresa's home. My heart was heavy, for I knew that either he has passed, or was close to it.  My Mom brought Ellie home (after watching her today while I worked), and we learned that Theresa's father was visited by Hospice earlier today, and that he isn't expected the make it through the night. I sat on my couch telling my Mom that I had to do something for my neighbor. Something. I remember, all too well, the feeling when my own father passed. I felt so helpless that my neighbor across the street was going through something so difficult, that I had to do something. So, together Mom and I came up with a plan to bake.  Mom ran to the store to buy some throw away pans to put the baked goods into, and I baked. Banana cake and brownies.

Katie was a bit confused as to why we were baking for our neighbor. "Because, when we see someone is going through a hard time, we should help them," I told her. "It's important to help each other. You never know when you might need someone. And I think our friends across the street would so appreciate this gesture from us."  And all of a sudden, she understood.

Just a few minutes ago, Katie and I delivered the goodies to Theresa's brother, who was outside taking a break from the emotions inside the house. I was so proud of Katie, because as we walked across the street, a bunch of her friends and neighborhood kids were playing down the block. Usually, Kate would want to run and play with them. But this time, she knew that what we were doing was much more important than playing with her friends. She held her head high and walked with me across the street - focused on what we were doing . . . helping someone. After handing over the two trays of baked goods, we turned and walked, hand in hand, back home. "Mom, I'm really glad that we did that," Katie said, "we did a really nice thing, Mom." "Yes, honey," I agreed, "we did a very nice thing."

I tell you all of this today, not to hear "Oh, yes, that was so nice of you ... " or anything of the sort. I tell you this as a gentle reminder that we are not alone in this world. And while we go about our days, there may be someone right in front of us who is going through something . . . awful. I'm reminding myself, too, that in the midst of my "who am I" drama of this week . . . in the end, it doesn't really matter - does it? All that matters is that I was a good person while here on this earth - that I treated others with love, kindness and respect, and that even in the midst of my drama, I was able to stop enough to recognize that it is not all about me. What a lesson I learned.

Tonight, I am saying a prayer for Theresa and her father. I ask you to keep them in your thoughts. Life is the most precious gift, and it can be gone so quickly. The biggest thing I can teach my children is that we need to be good to each other, every single day. That no matter how well we may or may not know each other, some day we may all need one another. I hope today is a day my children will never forget. I know I won't.

Today's PSA:
To read a really great post - pop over to my sister's blog at "The Adventures of Mr. CT and Me", where my sister shares a really great "kindness" story that took place at the unemployment office. My sister is brand new to the blogging community - and I am so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and opening herself up to all of us bloggers. Her story is sweet and kind, and a great accompaniment to helping one another.