Today was my first day to deliver with Meals on Wheels!
Success! (I think).
Buildup to the morning. My grandmother called last night at 7:00pm and said that she wouldn't be able to go with me because my sister was sick. So, I was really worried because they suggested bringing someone. So I called my other sister, and she thankfully agreed to help!!
Started out about 8:50 this morning, and made it to the church (pickup location), at about 9:30. Mostly because we had a hard time finding it the first time. Picked up the chests and route sheet. Headed out. Thought they would have a step by step map, but only a mapsco copy-so my sister was a lifesaver.
Only 6 deliveries- 5 of them apartments.
#1: Younger than I expected. She seemed capable of getting around fairly well. Asked how her day was, she said thank you. I accidentally give her TWO bags of drink, bread and cookie. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe slightly confused because I was leaving 2 weekend boxed meals too.
#2: This was a townhome, and the gate had a coathanger keeping it shut. This woman seemed younger too, and very friendly, said thank you. After dropping hers off I realize I left 1 too many bags at #1. Panic.
#3: An older gentleman. His door is open and he's working in his kitchen. He says his thank yous.
#4: Decide to make a stop at 7-11 because I can't go without a bag for one of them. Buy milk, roll and oatmeal raisin cookie for the next stop. I probably broke a MAJOR Meals on Wheels law or rule or something, but took the risk. Give it to #4. She is the nicest one. Her door is open too. She's sitting at the table in a wheelchair working on a book. She calls me dear and asks me to sit the food right inside the kitchen. Says she can't lift her arms. The apartment seems smaller than what I lived in at college, and I can't imagine getting a wheelchair around. She opens her hand and I hold it as she says "I bless you, you are lovely". She asked me if I wanted water, she asked what I was doing for the weekend, she realized I was new and asked how it was going. She was the one who was lovely. And she's the one who got the bag of stuff I bought (oops).
#5: An older woman using a walker. She has a younger woman there painting her toenails. That lady takes the meal and says thank you. I stick my head in and say hello to the older woman, she invites me in. I leave the bag I'm holding and tell her she has a nice house. We talk for about a minute and then I go.
#6: Young woman. Possibly 40's. She barely cracks the door. Takes the food, and I ask her how she's doing today. She says she's in pain, aches all over and is miserable. How do you respond to that? I tell her I'm sorry to hear that. Tell her that I hope she feels better as the day goes on. Feel bad for not being able to do anything except leave a meal.
But, complete! We head back to the church to leave the chests and the route sheet. The whole thing from leaving my house, to arriving home, took about 2 1/2 hours. Not bad for the 1st time. I think I can get the whole thing done in 2 hours now that I know where everything is and the process.
6 people got their food today...and that makes me happy!
Over the weekend I was able to spend some time with my grandfather and my Uncle. As we were driving, we were in an area where my grandfather used to work, the company he worked for, for over 30 years. It was so interesting to listen to him talk about how they moved him to Texas from Ohio, coming down here alone for 2 months to get started and find a house, traveling. Amazing to think about all he went through in that short amount of time and how long ago it was.
