There are two ways of spreading light — to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
— Edith Wharton
New Years Greetings to All!
I rang in the new year by going to sleep about 10:30 on New Year’s Eve. Just didn’t have it in me to stay up for the festivities. That’s okay. I’m glad the new year has arrived, so far with good news. I had my check up with my oncologist on Friday, and my physical exam was good. I’m scheduled for my next PET/CT scan in late March, with a follow up appointment with my oncologist two weeks afterward.
Though perhaps the best news is I’ve begun volunteering with a local food pantry, two days a week, for a four-hour shift each day. I’ve been set to the task of answering the incoming phone calls for the organization, which is much more than it sounds like it might be. I’m the front line of contact with people who are in dire straits. They’ve probably been considering making their phone call for days, desperate in some area of their lives and needing help. I’m there to listen to them, offer them some comfort, and hopefully find a way to help them out.
The organization does much more than just feed the stomach. They have utilities and prescription medication assistance, as well as a job board, homework help, and various activities for their clients through out the year. My first volunteer job was taking pictures of the clients with Santa at the pantry’s annual Christmas party. I went to Walmart to find the most ridiculously decorated sweater I could find, wore my knee-length Santa hat, and dusted off my old Canon SLR camera for some good shots. The kids had crafts projects to do, cookies and milk, and each received a stocking with small toys and other treats. It was a wonderful evening.
I go in today for the tougher work, answering those phones. I’m still on a learning curve. I want to connect up potential clients with the correct services we offer, but I also want to be a resource of other services in the community that we don’t offer...like help with rent or house payments or clothing sources. I’ve spent hours on the Internet educating myself about similar organizations in the community that offer compatible services. I want every caller who makes that difficult phone call to hang up with some sort of resources, some sort of hope.
The magical thing about volunteering with this organization is the energy I receive back from my work. Four hours is a long shift for me, but every time I leave with a sense of purpose and gratitude for what I have and what I have to give. This is probably the best cure for my moodiness and fatigue I get from the post-chemo drug I’m taking, Arimidex. I feel very fortunate.
So, my new year begins on a very positive note. I wish the same for all of you dear readers.
