|
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
|
|
For all of us, from the most impoverished to the
most privileged, life is a journey. The journey is often filled with
struggle, but is also often filled with laughter. Our elders can spin us
great tales of their travels through life, sharing with us all the good
times they had as well as all of the hardships they overcame. It is truly
inspiring when a senior citizen can recount their difficult
road through life with a beaming face, filled with a strength and a
wisdom which forces the listener to reflect on their own travels in life. We
are fortunate to have a friend in
71-year-old Susie who does just that.
Susie’s journey began in
Mississippi, where she was born on March 27, 1937. Her parents moved her and
her seven brothers and
three sisters to Chicago when she was young. With such a
large family, it is easy to understand the financial woes which plagued her
young life. As Susie grew older, she held a variety of jobs, everything from
a tray girl to an assembly line worker to a hotel maid. She has worked very
hard on her journey to support herself. Susie and her husband had three
children during their time together. They are still married, but have been
long estranged, living apart from each other. Sometimes she sees her
daughters regularly, and sometimes she does not. She cannot count on them for
financial support, because they now have their own families to look after.
It is difficult for Susie
to get around her small apartment. A blood disorder meant that
Susie’s foot had to be amputated. Since then, she has been resigned to a
wheelchair. She is fortunate enough to have a nurse supplied by the County,
who visits her to make sure she is all right, but with an income of only
$557, it is difficult for her to make ends meet a great deal of the time.
It is a real privilege
for us to be able to ease Susie’s financial burdens with our monthly
delivery of food and personal care items. Susie says that our deliveries
are
extremely important to her, and that she is very grateful, and there is nothing more
she could want from us. Despite her consistent poverty and immobility, Susie
is a strong and faith-filled woman who refuses to complain about her
situation in life.
She says she loves to visit with her delivery drivers each month when they
come knocking on her door. It is a true blessing for us when we are able to
get so much warmth and compassion back from a senior we serve. We are
thankful to have met Susie, for she fills our lives with joy as much as we
fill hers with nourishment. In fact,
one HSP volunteer who called to
check up on Susie said, “I hung up the phone smiling, she is such a
treasure!” We are so happy to be able to join together with you for these
last three years to bring support to the days of this needy but proud woman.
Things to remember about Susie:
-
Her birthday is March 27th 1937.
-
Her monthly income is $557.
-
Her favorite colors are pink and yellow.
-
Her favorite food is catfish.
|
