“Hello. I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations. How might I serve you?” - C-3PO, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Serve: to render assistance; to be of use; to help.
Tuesday was one of those bright, dry, sunny fall days that we all imagine when we hear the word Autumn. It was cool, but not cold, and a long-sleeve shirt and jeans would have been perfect after about ten minutes of activity. I was planning to rake up the leaves from the front and back yards and clean out the annuals from the flower bed. The city had finally come and chipped up the stump from the tree they cut down last spring, so that area could use some smoothing out.
But then something better happened. I was given the chance to serve a friend. It feels so nice to help someone out when they really need it. Perhaps we’ve collectively forgotten just how good it makes us feel to know that we’ve been useful to someone else. How luscious it is to forget our own needs, wants and plans for a few hours and focus on someone else. Maybe that’s why we, as a nation, don’t volunteer as much as we used to.
Padawan Learner and I have had two different long-term volunteering commitments over the years. The first was reading to a class of second-graders at the elementary school that my neighbor used to teach at. Those kids loved to listen to him read to them. He would choose what he wanted to bring from home, planned where to stop to ask questions from the class, and tried to find things that were a little out of the ordinary. His biggest hit was when he brought a book of poetry. While PL read to the class, I hung out in the school library and tutored a little boy who was behind in reading. The second place was a local cat shelter. We were there for a couple of years, but fell out of the habit late this summer. Although there were some unpleasant things that went along with that activity (cleaning out 25 litter pans, for instance), it was fun to have 80 to 100 cats purring, playing with balls, and jumping for string. We got to know several of the “lifer’s” and were always torn between happy and sad to see our favorites get adopted out.
It is time, I think, for us to find another long-term volunteering opportunity. Do you volunteer in your community? If so, what do you do and what keeps you doing it?
As that friend in need, I can also say that it feels pretty good to have a friend that will drop everything and drive you to the urgent care center when you need it. You’re awesome, babe. I haven’t had close women friends through most of my life, and now I can’t figure out how I got by without them.
Right now I am a case worker for Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. We help people secure funds to get home in the event of an emergency.
I also work with the American Red Cross, on military bases almost all of the help is volunteer.
The PTO, I am on both my boys, (although I have come to realize, I should have asked for combat pay with this one)! Volunteering is fun, I laugh, cry, and meet the best people.
JakesMom and Obi-Mom,
I second that thought. It’s something my friends and I have noticed and are learning about ourselves. I think it is one of the things our society lost somewhere along the way . I’m so grateful for the friends I’m now sharing my journey with.
A friend of mine is learning she does have the strength to accept help in a very hard time. I’m so glad to be able to provide some of that help. I echo your sentiment Obi-Mom.