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Drumsticks of Joy
The “Covid” years were difficult for many. I think of those times as our “BEFORE” and our “AFTER”. Life has changed after all the losses, the fears, and the isolation (by order). NOW I believe we have reached the renewing years.
There was a time when everyone knew their neighbours. During the years “BEFORE”when someone was in need, you were there to offer help, a family you did not know you needed. But the Covid isolation (by order) had us retreat in fear. Now, in the “AFTER” years, many are still struggling to get out of that mode. Our homes became our safe caves, keeping the unknown prey outside.
Long ago, during the Before, I would hike our road to drop in randomly and visit/check on my neighbours. Some might have thought I was just being nosey, but I worried about them like family members. Then people passed away, moved away, and retreated due to the fear of Covid. That was when the loneliness and worry took hold.
We were blessed with neighbours who we considered our safe space. Shared dinners and laughter became a brief escape from the outside world. I am forever grateful for this gift.
To this day, those same safe spaces with the same people are still in our lives. Everyone is busy again, but we still find time to get together.
MY Hero(husband) and I decided to cut back on our consumption of treats. His logic: still buy them, then give them away. Sounded like a neighborly thing to do, but it wasn’t always easy.
At one house, we dropped off the sweets. The recipient, who had just returned from the grocery store, asked, “Would you like some Drumsticks”?
My mind instantly went to “NO.” But my drooling lips, however, spit out “YES”.
My mind went to sweet ice cream drizzled in chewy chocolate wafer goodness.
My dear friend handed me a large bag of fresh CHICKEN Drumsticks. I saw no need to share my thoughts as I tried not to let my disappointment show. I hugged her and said thank you. I was truly grateful.
The next day, I baked up those chicken drumsticks and made a kale salad. We dropped it off for our friends/family.
My Hero went to buy milk. He came out of the store with one drumstick, the kind I was dreaming about. The renewing years.
Grace Vanderzande