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7 selections of fresh vegetables
6 selections of
fresh fruits
7 varieties of
frozen meats
5 bags of
non-perishables
1 bag of paper
products and personal care items
Gifts from a Secret Pal
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We all must face obstacles and challenges in our
lives which shape who we are and how we live. Likewise, we are all fortunate
enough to have good times in our lives which give us the strength to
overcome the negativity in the world, which often threatens to drag us down.
Sit down with any senior citizen and ask them about the times of their life,
and they’ll be able to weave you a story about the happiness, excitement, and
sorrow which has filled their days. We are pained, however, when we fear our
elders may have seen the last fleeting bits of sunshine in their lives, and
are left with only stress and sadness to look forward to. For this reason, we
are truly thankful that we have been
able to bring a smile to the face
of 79-year-old Joann, a
senior who otherwise may have looked at the joy in her life as a distant
memory.
The ups and downs of
Joann’s life began in Chicago, where she
grew up as the youngest of three brothers
and three sisters. She still has fond memories of her youth, when her days
were filled with wonder as she skipped rope and played tag at the
neighborhood playground. The good times continued as she grew older and
married her first husband. Depression loomed on the horizon, however, as her
husband worked long hours at the store he owned, leaving Joann lonely and
unsatisfied for much of their 24-year marriage. They had two daughters
together, but Joann still felt an emptiness inside her which her current
situation was not filling. After their youngest daughter left home, Joann
divorced her husband and set out on her own.
Joann’s life took an
upswing as she discovered financial independence as a housekeeper. She could
finally put some money in the bank to save for retirement. She also met her
second husband, a man who truly connected with her and made her happy. She
still remembers the man with a sweet disposition, wearing a red-and-white
polka- dot tie, who won her over, as if it were yesterday.
Joann had entered a truly
happy time in her life, but for some the happy times don’t always last.
About ten years ago, Joann’s beloved husband passed away suddenly. She
also was forced to leave her job due to her increasing health problems.
Arthritis in her fingers and knees made life more and more difficult. She
also began to have frequent dizzy spells. Other ailments, such as high blood
pressure and deafness in one ear, have compounded her problems. On her
limited income of $898, a lot of her money disappears every month to cover
bills and rent, which doesn’t give her much solace.
When Joann was first
introduced to us in 2000, we felt
very lucky to have the opportunity to bring joy into her life yet
again. Joann says she is very grateful for the delicious food and personal
care items that volunteers deliver to her each month.
Things to Remember about Joann:
• Joann’s birthday is May 11, 1928.
• Her monthly income is $898.
• Her favorite food are hamburgers.
• Her favorite flower is the yellow rose.
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