Meals on Wheels in Salt Lake County
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One thing that makes Salt Lake County—and Utah as a whole—such a great place to live is the selfless generosity of those who volunteer to serve others. I recently read something written by Ginger, one of the Meals on Wheels volunteers who has been bringing food to senior county residents for over a decade. She wrote this after one of the recipients on her route passed away recently, and she has granted me permission to share it below:
More Than A Meal How can it be 10 years since I brought that first meal? That first meal I brought to your door, greeted by a very friendly, enthusiastic, beautiful lady and her kind and cheerful husband. And now it is ten years later, you just turned 96 and I am not quite ready to let you go…but I must. |
A Meals on Wheels volunteer visits a county resident.
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I won’t stop at your house any more, though I will think of you every time I go by. That wonderful house you made into a home with your sweetheart so many years ago. I won’t come in and stay a little longer to share stories of our families. To hear about your children and grandchildren, not to mention the greats. To smile when you ask about my family and I share the latest news. To talk about how much my boys liked your husband and wanted to impress him with their handshakes and how impressed he was!
I will miss seeing the newest doily or painting or hearing the latest poem…even if it is about a bedpan! To hear you say in the later years, “If I could only do what I did when I was 92.” To see your sweet smile and hear your positive words even when it was hard.
I will miss seeing you week after week, sharing stories, encouraging each other, getting a hug or a squeeze of the hand, connecting with our eyes. How blessed I am that I decided to bring that first meal all those years ago. A simple meal that turned into a treasured friendship.
And the last meal? Well, today I ate that meal, the last meal, the one that should have been yours. I ate that meal with enthusiasm…and lots of tears.
I will miss seeing the newest doily or painting or hearing the latest poem…even if it is about a bedpan! To hear you say in the later years, “If I could only do what I did when I was 92.” To see your sweet smile and hear your positive words even when it was hard.
I will miss seeing you week after week, sharing stories, encouraging each other, getting a hug or a squeeze of the hand, connecting with our eyes. How blessed I am that I decided to bring that first meal all those years ago. A simple meal that turned into a treasured friendship.
And the last meal? Well, today I ate that meal, the last meal, the one that should have been yours. I ate that meal with enthusiasm…and lots of tears.
I was touched by Ginger’s account, and reminded how grateful I am that we have volunteers who are willing to help those in need in our community. You can learn more about the Meals on Wheels program in Salt Lake County by clicking here.
