Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Meals on Wheels

About 2 months ago one of the coordinators for Meals on Wheels told me they were wanting to "beef up" their facebook page so she asked if I would write up a little description of my MOW experience. Then the marketing director heard about it an somehow it turned into this whole article. I was embarrassed at first, because it's not for show, but I wanted the boys to remember what they have done.


I am grateful my boys have been able to be a part of Meals on Wheels. I have seen their sweet little personalities shine as we have done it.

This summer Joey and I got to deliver by ourselves most weeks. (Peter was out of work and Kimball apparently needed a break so he stayed home and helped dad remodel the bathroom). I was always so impressed with how Joey would sit so quietly and patiently while some of the sweet widows we deliver to would just talk and talk. One day we got a new woman on our route. After a quick drop off Joey and I got back into the car and he asked me where her husband was. I told him he had passed away so she lives alone. He then asked, "Then why doesn't she want to talk to you more?"

It may seem like a simple question, but it shows so much. It shows how sweet and observant my little Joey is. He knows that the widows need a patient, listening ear. I was so impressed that a little 5 year old boy would be so kind and concerned. I think Joey has a lot of Pres. Monson in him--he's already learning to care for the widows at such a young age.

As we were driving home recently I had the thought that our MOW experience is such a great preparation for my future missionaries. They get to go into the homes of people they don't know, and then learn to love them and care for them. I am so glad they have this experience.

And Kimball has learned to love serving others. After his summer respite, he has a new excitement for meals on wheels. He LOVES bringing flowers to the people we deliver to. If we get out of the car and he spots a flower--whether it's wild or growing on an ornamental plant--he runs over, picks it, and then runs to the door with a huge grin on his face and thrusts it inside as soon as the door cracks open. It's sweet to see his 4 year old excitement. Last week after we left a house he asked, "Mom, did that make her happy when I gave her that flower?"

Oh, sweet Kimball--it made her very happy!

5 comments:

Rachel said...

A while back you mentioned doing Meals on Wheels with your kids and I loved the idea! We signed up this past summer and it has been an amazing experience! Thanks for your example!

Unknown said...

Wow - that is wonderful! :) You are such a good mom. You know - when you are a good person the wonderful thing is you don't have to prove it to anyone - but sometimes you do get a little attention for it - and it feels really nice. Way to go!

Camille said...

Lindsay, you are such a great example! (and SO gorgeous too!) I want to be more like you. I think I just might look into MOW or something like that here. I need to be better at teaching my children to serve others. Thank you for being so awesome. :)

The Gurrs said...

you girls are so sweet!! Thanks!!

Sally said...

That is so cool--and what a great family pic! :) Thanks for your inspiring example Lindsay!!