Angels may not dress the part,
With robes and wings that soar,
Often angels come as friends
Knocking at your door. - Unknown |
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DAILY CHEER
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Issues of previous WhatFriendsDo.com newsletters are available online. | |
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| Greetings!
As leaves change colors and fall to the ground, people often begin their process of hibernating. With fewer hours of daylight and cooler temperatures, we might tend to bundle under extra layers of clothing, stay home more often, exercise less and spend less time with friends.
People facing difficult challenges such as cancer, divorce, loss of job, the death of a loved one are even more likely to hibernate. It's human nature. As we begin to think about holidays, it is so important for friends to take extra initiative to stay in touch with our hibernating friends (even though a little hibernation can be a good thing).
Here are some easy, inexpensive ways for you to make sure your friends don't 'fall behind':
Rake, Bag & Run
Gather lots of people together at your friend's house with rakes in hand. Rake the yard, bag the leaves, then run along. This kind of group project is fun to do whether your friend is home or not. Those who cannot rake might enjoy participating by bringing apple cider for the workers.
Souper Saturday
Make a big pot of your favorite soup and take half of it to your friend. Include a loaf of bread, some fresh fruit and a yummy dessert. Your friend will be able to relax and look forward to a great meal.
Reverse Trick-or-Treating
Dress up, go to your friend's house, ring the doorbell and give your friend a treat! This is especially fun for children who may not be able to go out trick-or-treating or for elderly people who don't have many children in their neighborhood. Spread some Almond Joy, then fly off into the Milky Way.
Think Spring
Plant some spring bulbs in your friend's yard to honor a loved one who has recently died, or to celebrate a recovery from an accident. The flowers will be a beautiful commemoration in the spring.
Fall Behind
Clocks need to change due to Daylight Savings on November 7. Offer to help your friend reset the clocks, and use that bonus hour to visit. |
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Lesson Learned
My husband died in late fall. It was cold outside and the leaves were falling like raindrops. After spending many long days/hours at the hospital during his long illness and then the funeral, we were exhausted. Our friends were amazing and they lifted us as only friends can do. I have no idea how many times we heard "call me if there's anything I can do." Each time it was said with complete sincerity; I knew that. But would I call? Could I call?
Everyone went home and returned to their own routines. We tried to do the same, but anyone who has been down that path knows that routines at this stage are anything but routine. Both girls resumed classes in college and I returned to my job. The daily tasks at home, though, still needed to be done, and who had the energy?
The leaves continued to fall. So, the following Saturday my younger daughter and I knew we had to tackle the yard. And it was no small yard. We were exhausted before we started, and after many hours of raking and bagging, we were ready to drop. I remember vividly stopping and saying, "I wonder if all those people who said to call if we needed anything would have come to do the leaves?" Sadly, we said it in a very forlorn way. I knew my friends would come if I asked, but I also knew I would never ask.
That day has always stuck in my mind. Not because our friends didn't care; they were wonderful and truly we got through a dark and difficult time because of them. It stuck with me because I learned the lesson to offer some specific help, to stay in touch and to do little (or large) things that are helpful.
We try to keep that lesson going through WhatFriendsDo.com by offering suggestions that are doable, inexpensive and will make a difference. Making the journey easier is what friends do.
Fran Kandrac, co-founder of WhatFriendsDo.com | | |
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We might not be able to change the outcome of your situation, but we hope to help change the journey!
WhatFriendsDo.com Staff
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