LOSS & GAIN WITH MINNIE

​Tonight, the power went out in my building. From the third floor, I followed the stairs lit by emergency lighting to the first floor. On my way to the lobby to check on the status of things, I saw a little, old woman peering out of her doorway. She looked confused and unsettled. I asked if she was okay. She said she wanted to go to the lobby to check on things but wasn't able to get around very well. I held my hand out and asked if she'd like me to go down with her. She accepted my offer with a smile and took my hand. After many very small, careful steps, we found ourselves only five feet or so from her door where we started. There we heard from other residents about the status of the outage and learned power wouldn't be restored for awhile. As there was no longer a need to go to the lobby, I walked Minnie (as I learned her name was) back to her apartment.

She, a resident of the building for 43 years now, asked if I'd like to come in for a cup of coffee, as she still had some left in a thermos (leftovers from what she had brewed earlier). I accepted her offer. After an hour and a half of wonderful conversation, sometime during which the lights had come back on, I said goodnight and gave her a hug, leaving with her my phone number with instructions to call me for anything she needs, along with a standing offer to take her out for breakfast and to go with her to Mass. (She's been wanting to get out more.)

   I'm glad we lost power. I found a new person to care for. #livetolove