An Opportunity to Serve

For days all we saw on the news was the path of three major storms which were heading towards each other – only to cause a super storm along the Northeast Coast.

Each day we would see more detailed paths – which kept showing major problems over the Tri-State Area.  For days prior to the storm – the skies were an eerie grey – there was a quiet in the air that was strange – and temperatures stayed pretty mild.

This weekend, reports were pretty definite that this storm was not only going to hit the NYC/NJ/CT area – but it was going to cause some pretty serious damage.  In certain shore areas and known flood areas, warnings to evacuate were consistently being announced.  Frustration continued from the authorities, due to folks not taking this seriously and refusing to evacuate.  Pleas that staying behind would only cause emergency rescue crews to be in unnecessary danger themselves if needed to respond to an emergency were repeated again and again.

Sunday afternoon our Mayor announced that the entire MTA would be shut down during the afternoon then completed early Sunday evening.  Schools were closed for Monday – many businesses closed as well.

I decided that I would stay home on Monday, to avoid any danger and if anything should happen with my car – I would be left with absolutely no way to travel home.

Monday morning was dark, eerie and windy.  I needed to walk my dog; therefore I stepped out for a few minutes.  I was surprised to see how windy it actually was.  The main part of the storm was predicted to hit my area starting at 2PM and continuing throughout the day, that evening and the next day.  

I was alerted to go down to my parking lot and check to see if my car was damaged by fallen trees.  When I went down – I saw many cars under the fallen tree behind where I park my car.  My car was not touched.  I also saw many other trees that had already fallen – and the actual storm was yet hours away.

 

When I returned to my apartment – I figured I take advantage and catch up with housework, laundry, closet organizing, etc.  Then I received a call from my management that the laundry rooms were being closed, and they suggested we avoid using the elevators (in case of a power outage).

I thought of all the many things I could get accomplished – and I then remembered my elderly neighbors.  I knocked on the door of each, and asked if all was OK and if they needed anything.  Just seeing their smiles and hearing their appreciation warmed my heart.  I went back to my apartment, and thought I would do what I love most – and also be able to serve my sweet senior neighbors.

I pulled out a massive pot, carrots, celery, and onions.  I searched through my pantry to see if I had any chicken stock – pulled some chicken out of my freezer and began.  Before long, homemade chicken soup was simmering on my stove.

As the aroma of homemade soup filled my apartment – I remembered the last time I brought homemade soup to my neighbors.  I brought them each a couple of containers.  They were so overjoyed and have been talking about it ever since. 



 

The last time I brought each of my neighbors homemade soup, Frank, my neighbor across the hall – returned my containers (hung on the door knob to my apartment), washed clean, including a note tucked inside of one: “Nancy – this soup was delicious. But I enjoyed it even more because you thought of me. Thank you so much. – Frank.”

Ethel, who lives next door to me – called me and left me a voice mail message.  In her cute, yelling, elderly voice: “Nancy, this is Ethel, your neighbor.  I just finished some of your soup. Chicken soup is my favorite meal in the whole world. I am glad I have another container that I can have more another time.  Thank you so much Nancy.”

So Sandy may be here to cause havoc and destroy – there may be many stories of damage, loss and hardship.  But I was given a day to be home, to touch the lives of 2 very sweet elderly people in my building and let them know they are loved.

Thanks Sandy!