Blog Diaries: Volunteering.

In the spirit of thanksgiving, myself with a couple of colleagues joined a local community charity, to distribute Turkey and groceries to Seniors in the neighborhood. I promise it had nothing to do my my last post. LOL. I had signed up for it since forever, and only just decided on that post recently. But it's good to know I am not just talking, but walking the walk. Right?! Haha.

Imagine my surprise when everybody seems to find the fact that I volunteered strange, case in point MY OWN SIBLINGS. What does that say about me? I am selfish? LOL. I mean, look at this.

Sibling A: So, how was your day?

Me:           It was good, I spent the early part of the day volunteering.

Sibling A: Volunteering?
                  LOL

Me:            Kini Lol

Sibling A: O ya mi lenu ni (It surprised me)

With sibling E, na me go look for wahala.

Me:             I am tired. I volunteered today; we shared  some Turkeys and  groceries to Seniors who need them.

Sibling E:  *Laughing out VERY loudly* Were they going to give you Turkey too?

Me:           O_O Whattt?! I went to SERVE! Am I less privileged or a Senior who needs food? *confused face*

So, here I am thinking of my life and how selfish I must be for one sibling to be flabbergasted that I'll give my time to others. While the other sibling was sure there must have been an incentive to get me out in the freezing cold. Well well, surprise surprise :-)

The experience was a good one. However, as gratifying as it was to put a smile on people's faces, it was physically exhausting, not to talk of the very cold weather. I think I must have frozen at some point.  It was no wonder I took a nap as soon as I got home. I have since refused to leave the comfort of my comforter (see what I did there hehe) all day. I did learn some lessons though. These Seniors are lonely, and have absolutely no one to spend thanksgiving with. Even though my own family doesn't have a big celebration, it was a reminder to be thankful to have a HOME to go to. I felt so blessed to have my family to go home to for thanksgiving. An ordinary hug meant a lot to these people, some of whom are probably ill.

I am even more thankful that my own grandparents are and were never lonely, for the most part at least. I never met my paternal grandmother, but I am sure she wasn't alone. My paternal grandfather was definitely not lonely, he had us :-) And would eventually die in our home, in his room, on his bed. #Blessed. My maternal grandparents, both are alive and are certainly NOT lonely. LOL.  So I started to pray and hope that no matter how busy my silly siblings and I will be, we will have plenty of time for our parents, and make sure they are never alone. I hope they wouldn't be so in need of someone to talk to, that talking to an absolute stranger will make their day. I hope that just as they have been there for us (siblings and I) all our lives, we would also be there to cater, take care of them, but most of all, just BE THERE. Just in case I forget, this post will be a constant reminder.

So you see, it was a win-win situation. I helped out, and even took home lessons.

Till next time, blogsville; Love, love, and more love. Be kind.

Love,
I