When someone has a lengthy hospital stay ... it's a good idea to think creatively. What are the things I'd want or need if I were that person? Several years ago, early on a Saturday morning, I learned of a car accident that had happened the evening before. The 20-something daughter of fellow church members had sustained a brain injury and was in the hospital. Her family was very active in the church and had many friends who flooded the hospital the evening prior when they got the word. I wasn't among them; I was more "acquaintance" than "friend." But by Monday morning, I knew most people would be back at work, perhaps even the girl's father, and her mother might be sitting alone ... waiting for her next ... Keep Reading...
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THE USUAL … WITH A TWIST: Day 15 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Greeting cards I consider them to be "the usual" response for many of us when we see a need. Illness? Send a Get Well card. Death? Sympathy card. There's nothing at all wrong with that. In fact, there's something very right about reaching out to let someone know we care. Source Some artsy-creative people, however, like to take "sending a card" a step further. One reader of this blog recently wrote... A lady (who became a dear friend) sent us a handmade card thanking us for visiting a Sunday School class. It was something she loves to do, and probably didn't take too much time, but it was very meaningful to me! In this day of email and instant messaging, I'm always blessed to receive ANY kind of card, ... Keep Reading...
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MEMORY BOOK: Day 14 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
This post (originally published last December) is an example of a Memory Book. Pick any subject and create a book for someone ... to show you care. The Love Letters The conversation began several months ago when Renaissance Man's mother was here for a visit. I learned that my 91-year-old mother-in-law has a collection of love letters written by her grandparents ... in 1888. Actually, the first letter was written December 16, 1887 -- 124 years ago this week. Frances asked if I would help her divide up the letters between her three children. I told her NO. I couldn't stand to think of treasures like those getting separated! However, I said I would make a nice set of copies for the boys -- and her ... Keep Reading...
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SINGLE MOTHERS: Day 13 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
WOMEN... Occasionally called "the weaker sex" but sometimes in situations that require strength beyond imagination. When that's the case, just knowing someone cares may be enough to help a woman keep getting up in the morning and moving forward ... for herself (and often for her children). My thoughts today are especially of women who are single mothers. Single mothers may be women who have lost their husband through death or divorce, or they may be women (often teenagers) who are raising children without the benefit of a spouse. We can encourage them! Offer to babysit. Single mothers need an occasional break! Surprise Mom with tickets so she can take her children on a special outing: the zoo, wildlife park, ... Keep Reading...
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SMOKED CHICKEN: Day 12 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Sometimes the littlest things mean a lot... I honestly don't remember the first time I watched him do it, but I know it was about 15 years ago. My husband (aka Renaissance Man on this blog) got up on a Saturday morning and went to the grocery store to buy chickens. Upon returning home, he fired up the smoker and cooked chickens for several hours until they were melt-in-your-mouth tender. While still warm, he wrapped the chickens in heavy duty foil, carried them to the car... ... and delivered them to people he thought could use them. Elderly acquaintances and friends Grieving families People struggling financially ... or emotionally People dealing with medical challenges "Just because" it seemed like the right ... Keep Reading...
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TEACHER TREATS: Day 11 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Day after day, teachers and staff greet our future at the school door. Theirs is often a thankless job ... but it doesn't have to be. Ways to say "thank you" ... Host a breakfast or luncheon on Teacher Inservice Day Provide snacks for the break room Make treat bags/baskets for teachers and staff Volunteer (tutor a student, read a story, make a presentation) Help a new teacher set up the classroom; provide school supplies, books, stickers -- or a gift certificate to a teacher resource center Send a note of encouragement ... "just because" Go HERE to see this tablescape. Have you ever done any of these things? What other ideas do you have? This post is part of a 31-day series. To ... Keep Reading...
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COLLEGE STUDENTS: Day 10 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
I live in a college town. In fact, some of my nearest neighbors are college students ... and I'm less than a minute by car from campus. College students sometimes give the appearance that they're 100% independent ... but guess what they love? Restaurant/fast food gift cards ... or an invitation to use your kitchen ... or a home-cooked meal with your family Pre-paid gas cards Movie passes Quarters for laundry ... or the use of your laundry room Care packages during finals week Do you have other ideas? Leave a comment and share them with us! This post is part of a 31-day series. To read previous posts, go HERE. ... Keep Reading...
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SOCIETY ON THE MOVE: Day 9 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
You don't need me to tell you that we're a mobile society; always "on the move." So what happens when the ability to pay for that movement is hampered? What if finances are limited when... ... a family member is unexpectedly admitted to the hospital -- an hour away? ... a family member or close friend dies -- in another state? ... use of vehicle is lost due to breakdown or accident? ... gasoline prices rise with no end in sight? ... (fill in the blank) Events like these put into motion a whole sequence of unanticipated expenses. Some people are fortunate to be able to absorb the expenses with minimal inconvenience. Others? Well, for some people a "surprise" like one of these is almost more than they can ... Keep Reading...
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SEASONAL CONSIDERATIONS: Day 8 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Have you ever noticed that our society becomes strangely more benevolent during the Christmas season? It seems to me that if we REALLY care about people, we'll show it year-round. People I know who work at places like nursing homes and women's shelters tell me that during the holidays they receive a lot of special care from both individuals and groups (civic, religious, families, etc.). But the rest of the year, there's a significant reduction in the amount of special care offered to their residents by the community. I suggest we change that! Let's practice creative caring at other seasons of the year, too. Why not get a group of friends together and decorate wheelchairs (or doors) at a local nursing ... Keep Reading...
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KEEP ‘EM GUESSING: Day 7 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Sometimes it's a nice idea to do things for people without them knowing who did it. To "keep 'em guessing" ... and to remove any potential for them to feel uncomfortable about their circumstances. I'm talking about caring for people anonymously. Job loss? Medical bills? Gas-guzzling car? Why not send a gift card (VISA, AmEx, etc.) or money order? I prefer the "all purpose" gift cards, rather than ones linked to a specific store, because it allows people to have choice. Just send it without a note enclosed or a return address on the envelope. All they need to know is that someone thought of them ... and cared enough to act. You can also try a slightly different version of gifting ... Keep Reading...
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SHARING THE EXCESS: Day 6 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
A couple of weeks ago, on a visit to the blog Behind the Gate, I read my friend Gayle's words: "Some years the tree produces more than even our family can eat and put up. This is one of those years. I gathered a huge basket, and there is still more left on the tree. A friend whose husband is unemployed is coming by soon to get a large bag for her family." Gayle was referring to an old pear tree that has produced fruit and provided nurture for families for over a century. As I read her words, I thought of this upcoming Creative Caring series ... and made a mental note to include her story. Sometimes we are blessed beyond anything our own family can enjoy ... and then we are blessed to be able to share with others. Sometimes, as in ... Keep Reading...
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SEND-OFF SURPRISE: Day 5 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
When I was 16, I was selected to serve on a national missions advisory board. In order to attend the convention, my Mom and I prepared to fly from Austin, Texas to Kansas City, Missouri. It was going to be the first flight ever for both of us! I remember being totally surprised when a friend and her mother gifted me with a send-off surprise for my trip. A purse, a really cute rain slicker ... I don't recall all of the items, but I do know they were NOT things I needed. They were "just because" things ... and I loved them! I'd never known anyone to do anything quite like that before, and it made an impression. Years later, our family passed along a "just because" send-off surprise gift to a dozen underprivileged teenagers ... Keep Reading...
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BE NEIGHBORLY: Day 4 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
I've been on both the giving and the receiving end of this creative caring idea. Both ends make me happy! When my daughters were preschoolers, we prepared plates of homemade Valentine-shaped sugar cookies and took them to each family in our cul-de-sac. It was an easy way to meet new neighbors – and a good teaching experience for my girls. You may want to bake some to share with neighbors during the upcoming holidays. If you prefer soft sugar cookies (as opposed to crunchy) like I do, feel free to try my recipe. Sources: Christmas, Winter, Fall Another time, a new family moved into our neighborhood, and the wife stopped by to introduce herself. It was Wintertime, and she gave us ... Keep Reading...
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CARING ON A SHOESTRING: Day 3 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
Creative caring is about stretching ourselves to think about how we care... not how much we spend. Yesterday, I shared with you how God reminded me of a heart-shaped rock I had in my Valentine decor. The perfect thing to send a friend who just received devastating health news. Last night I remembered a vintage hankie with a little heart-like flower that I could use to wrap the rock. This morning, in my stash, I found the perfect size box ... and a simple notecard with a heart already stamped on it; a leftover from a daughter's wedding. I wrapped the package in a remnant of brown paper then covered the box again in a pretty piece of house-before-last shelf liner. Even the paper I'd trimmed off the card so it would fit the ... Keep Reading...
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WHEN CREATIVITY DISAPPEARS: Day 2 of 31 Days of Creative Caring
I didn't know it would happen like this... I've been so excited about sharing creative caring ideas with you, even to the point of having to whittle down my list to keep it at 31 days ... but today I've got nothing. I'll share the list starting tomorrow, but today I guess you get to see another side of creative caring. I'd rather not show you this side, because I'd rather not be experiencing it. You see, yesterday someone I know heard the words "Stage 4. Inoperable. Months." She's a friend. Not a We've been best friends forever kind of friend, but definitely someone to whom I want to reach out. She lives about as far across the U.S. from me as possible, and that makes "doing" caring a bit complicated. I'm numb from ... Keep Reading...
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Creative Caring
The complete 31 Days of Creative Caring series ... 31-Day preview: Blue Umbrella and a Pie Day 1: Doing the Awkward (Keep scrolling down to read the post) Day 2: When Creativity Disappears Day 3: Caring on a Shoestring Day 4: Being Neighborly Day 5: Send-off Surprise Day 6: Sharing the Excess Day 7: Keeping 'Em Guessing Day 8: Seasonal Considerations Day 9: Society on the Move Day 10: College Students Day 11: Teacher Treats Day 12: Smoked Chicken Day 13: Single Mothers Day 14: Memory Book Day 15: The Usual ... with a Twist Day 16: Hospital Care Day 17: Yard Work Angels Day 18: Take a Meal Day 19: Mani/Pedi Day 20: The Gift Registry Day 21: Care Packages Day 22: Foster Families Day 23: Community Helpers Day ... Keep Reading...
