When you deliver meals with Meals on Wheels People, the impact goes far beyond food. For Beverly Rose, who started volunteering in 2020, it’s about the connections she makes with the participants — listening to their stories, sharing in their joys and challenges, and forming friendships. Here’s a glimpse into a delivery day through her eyes.
By Beverly Rose
One of the things I love most about being a Meals on Wheels People volunteer is that each week I get to connect with my “clients,” who have become my friends. They share how they’re feeling, what’s going on with their family and friends, and we talk about gardens, news of the day, pets, weather, and life. All the things you talk about with friends.
One week this August was especially memorable. My third delivery of the morning, a lovely woman who has had severe, ongoing health struggles met me at her door with a colorful bouquet.
“You are always so nice,” she said. “I saw these and knew who I wanted to give them to.”
I’ve met and chatted with her two sons, who stay with her during college breaks, and I know one is studying business technology and the other marine biology. She’s unable to drive due to seizures, so I bring her books and magazines I think she might like. It was touching that she gave me one of my favorite things: flowers.
The next stop was a 63-year-old man with end-stage renal disease, diabetes, and heart problems. He and I talk about books and authors, and I give him writing prompts that he’s asked for to spur on his own creativity. He’s developed dozens of stories about the early days of aviation and is also working on an autobiography. For the past three years, I’ve been editing his work with the goal of getting some of his short stories and essays published.
As I was leaving, he asked me, “Do you really think I’m a good writer?” I didn’t have to think or stretch the truth. “Yes,” I said. “You have a gift for language, especially metaphor. And your humor shines on the page. You are a very good writer. You are going to be published.”
He smiled and told me how much I had helped him. I didn’t know it would be the last time I’d ever see him. He died in the hospital the day before my next visit. I am helping his sister go through his manuscripts to see if one or two can be submitted for print. It was his last wish.
My final delivery is to a veteran, an amputee in a wheelchair who always smiles and waves at me as I give the meal, milk, fruit, and snacks to his caregiver. He tells me I’m the bright spot of his week. His dog has finally stopped barking at me; we both take that as a good sign.
Being a Meals on Wheels People volunteer means getting much more than you give. It also means meeting people with whom you may not have much in common at first, but you find out — week after week — the thing you share is your humanity and living in this beautiful place we all call home.
