I arrive, open my trunk and
start filling grocery bags with the fresh local food. Soon word spreads. I
happily give the bags to refugees I know well and new arrivals. The new people
stand out because they do not know about Iskashitaa Refugee Network yet. They
wonder if they are going to get food. They look on with
expectation.
Once the "old timers" have left, I make sure that I have
bagged enough produce for the new families. I invite them to come and see the
food. The food is welcomed or perhaps it's the friendship that matters. I ask
their names and offer mine.
In
recent months, there was always a young woman sitting on a curb alone and
knitting. She never approached my car. I would turn in her direction and show
her the food but she always smiled and shook her head. We bid farewell with a
good-bye wave.
This week, our interactions changed. With one food bag
left, I walked over to the young woman to look at her knitting. I sat down next
to her and touched her work. It was done to perfection and I told her so.
Finally I realized she was unable to hear me. She stood up and brought me to her
apartment. She pointed to the AC/ heating unit. With both of us standing on
kitchen chairs, I showed her how to use it and had her turn the knob to the off
position herself. Apparently, she had not been able to communicate her dilemma
to a friendly face and she slept in the cold for weeks.
We
parted that day with many hugs. I marked the day I would come back on a calendar
and she made sure I knew her apartment number. Two people...two totally
different life experiences...two different continents...two people
communicating, playing & laughing...the way friends do....two people....no
longer staring & waving good-bye to each other...two new friends.
By Sue Troutman
Do you or your family want to help
redistribute food to families in need? Do you have a reliable vehicle and a time
each month that you could come? You are perfect for us! Please contact us at
volunteer@iskashitaa.org.
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