Today I fell in love.
I've been delivering meals to shut-ins for a few months now. I don't have a regular route but I fill in as needed a few times a week on any of the various routes in the area. I've seen parts of town that I didn't know existed, and I've lived here 25 years. I've met a variety of people and seen every kind of living condition possible. It seems that some are pure inspiration while others serve as a warning to maintain my health and care for my relationships.
Today I met Andy, a Louisiana cajun to the core, transplanted here many years ago. He welcomed me into his kitchen, with it's bright green cabinets that he crafted himself so, so very long ago. We had a good chat going and moved into the only other room in the house that he actually uses-his bedroom/living room. With the sun streaming in the window and me taking a spot upon the foot of the bed, he shared World War II stories, stories of family, and of recent trips to the grocery store. I was soaking it all in.
I love a good story, but I was also soaking in his surroundings. The house was neat-as-a-pin, with hand crafted goodness all around. The bed was made with a quilt, a crotched afghan laid across the foot with homemade toss pillows at the head. His late wife's sewing machine as his nightstand. It simply spoke volumes to me of the cherished life that they had shared together. Happy with the many ways he's been blessed in life, he gave me a tour of the home, making sure to note that when they moved in 60 years ago, the only thing they brought to their new home was a toothpick! Now tiger oak cabinets sit full of crystal and old velvet pillows from the 60's line the sofa in the front room. The Christmas tree stands sheltered by plastic, ready to glow in the main window come December. He announces that he'll be 95 come tree lighting time, and I sure hope he makes it. It was hard to leave, but with an extended invitation to return for more stories and chat, I'm already ready to go back.
My heart is full.
