Miracle Meal?

It seems like just yesterday it all happened, yet it was 2 years ago when Hayden had a Grand Mal Seizure. What started as a 5am wake up phone call from his grandparents turned into a few months of chaos. Our worst fears are for something to happen to our little ones when they are in the care of someone else. Not that they didn’t do the right thing in making their panicked call to 911 but the fact it wasn’t either my husband or myself making that call instead of them. The not knowing if he is ok. Not being the first to talk to Doctors & worse yet, not being there for him when it all happened. The 30 minute frantic drive just to get to him. Then seeing your four year old son lying there, in a hospital bed no less, all lethargic and almost lifeless is absolutely terrifying. This was our life changing moment.

When you are in the eye of the storm of your life changing event, the world seems topsy turvey and oh so out of control. When you’re in the eye of the storm days fly by so fast, nights are a sleepless blur, exhaustion is the one constant in your ever changing world.  Luckily, I had an awesome group of women who supported us. Without them I don’t know what I would have done. What did they do? How did they help? They did the simplest and easiest thing to do; they brought us meals. They picked up my daughter from school at a moment’s notice. They called. They prayed. 1 John 4:7 says “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” There is no greater truth then this simple yet profound verse. Now I’m not here to preach to you about my God. But I do believe. My faith is that much stronger from the love I received from those who supported us.

As I said before they brought us meals. There is nothing more humbling then a friend showing up at your doorstep with a hot meal for you and your family. But it is the most uplifting of things to do; for both parties. I have been the one showing up on a friend’s doorstep years before that same blessing was bestowed upon me. Wanting to help a loved one, being the person to prepare a meal and deliver it, give a hug and leave knowing you have fed someone who was in need. And by fed I mean their bodies and their souls. Being on the other side of that door and having a friend feed me, it is a true kindness really.

This bringing a meal is an old fashioned custom. One custom I am glad has not completely died out. If you take into consideration our lifestyles, for the most part our community is very “I” focused. How many of us have joked about the neighbor bringing a cake to welcome another neighbor to the neighborhood? Was that such a bad custom? In hindsight, I think not. Who knows you may become good friends because of that simple welcoming gesture. Bringing a meal to a loved one is an important thing. Doing anything to help reduce the strain is an important thing. If you’re not a cook then drive-thru’s and delivery work just as easily. Food is food. When you’re in the eye of the storm having a gourmet meal is the last thing on your mind. Eating is the last thing on your mind. Sadly, feeding a hungry family is the last thing on your mind. Fighting the storm is your primary focus. If you know someone who is in the midst of their storm there is so much you can do to help without hindering them. There are a few websites out there dedicated to helping loving groups of people set up meal plans. Care Calendar is one such site. It’s a few clicks and an email is sent out to those on your list indicating the loved ones need. Very user friendly. Take Them A Meal is another such site. Same set up. Same premise. Both help organize a group of people who want to help.

Some things to consider when bringing a meal.

• Use disposable containers. They have more on their mind to worry about then whose dish goes where.
• Find out if there are food allergies you need to be wary of.
• Bring it hot. The whole point is for them to not have to cook.
• Don’t over bring. If you’re part of a group who has set up a meal schedule then the recipients will have leftovers and lots of them.
• Communicate with your family on when they should expect you. There is nothing worse than not being ready for a friend to show up. You may think its ok but they probably need time to prepare themselves.
• If you can’t cook send a gift card. Order a pizza. Hit a drive-thru. Buy a Frozen Dinner.
• Don’t assume they have everything needed to complete the meal. Parmesan cheese to top, salad dressing, bread, drinks, dessert. They may not have had the chance to go grocery shopping.
• Get in and out quick. Don’t stick around hoping to share the meal with them. If they need a shoulder to cry on be that support but don’t move in.
• Send a card. Sometimes just receiving a warm card in the mail gets there at the right time and helps when needed most.
• Don’t forget to love them. =-D

Remember, if there isn’t a group who comes together to help, that doesn’t mean you cannot still step up on your own. I hope this helps you in the future when you want to help someone who is going through their life changing moment. Such as the birth of a new child. Death of a loved one. Sickness. Disease. Anything. The saying goes “The way to his heart is through his stomach” that doesn’t mean just men. Feed the body, feed the soul.

As Granpa used to say "See ya round like a donut!", SoCal Marisa