One of the joys of volunteering at a thrift store/food pantry is the surprises awaiting us all each day. To save money, the charity often supplies the kitchen area with extra donated goods. Sometimes they are holiday napkins after the date has passed, and sometimes they are surplus donations from a grocery store.
By way of a sense of humor or oversight on an employee's part, these napkins adorned the break room table for our lunch break. We all roared with laughter. They are now a lovely memory.
When a strong reaction like this happens, it becomes an opportunity for me to both get to know my fellow volunteers better and observe their respective behaviors. Each person had their own response. The manager cackled and went into a story. One woman smiled shyly and observed like me. One woman, always lively, reached for a tac and suggested we stick one to the bulletin board. She proceeded to walk around with the napkin and show everyone in the vicinity. She talked about them days later. I love her.
But I often find it interesting how so many unique personalities all come together in acts of service for the needy. Most of the other regular volunteers are at least twenty years older than me, but we all share the same goal. Some are introverted, some extroverted. On occasion, their behavior and responses surprise me.
What I admire most about many of them is that they're old enough to have fun without fear of judgment. I look forward to this day. I'm constantly working to get there, but I doubt I'll fully embrace the idea until I can walk out the door without even bothering to look in the mirror. That level of indifference to others' opinions is something to strive for. I'm me on the inside if I decide to brush my hair or not.
Thanks to the lovely collection of beautiful older hearts surrounding me, I have endless material to write stronger characters. Wisdom may not always come with age, but I respect them all for different reasons. Some have unwavering integrity while others may bend silly rules. I wouldn't ask all of them for advice, but I have leaned on a select few for moral support over the past few years. A small number of them can tell when I'm not doing well.
It's a dynamic I never experienced at home with everyone rushing around. I'm grateful to have it now.
So, twice a week I get to hang out with my fifteen or so extra moms. They know my clothing and shoe size and what items I may want to purchase by the end of the day. It's a beautiful feeling. While they appreciate the fact that I can carry their bulky sacks of rejected items to the truck so they won't hurt their backs, I appreciate that they absorbed me into their group as their youngest member. If I can successfully create that fond feeling of love in my novels, maybe I can lift others in a similar way.
And tomorrow, it's back to the charity to indulge in donated surprises and acts of service for those who struggle in our community.
Keep on smilin'!
Comments