Not long ago, Mary’s mornings often began when it was still dark outside. At 4:30 AM, she would wake up to make breakfast for her husband. He was battling cancer – and anything Mary could do to make life a little easier for her love of 50 years, she did.
After breakfast, Mary would go to work. “I like to work. I have worked hard at every age. When I go to work, my company says I shine. I don’t like to sit around; I like to communicate with people. I think it is important to be productive.”
Her roles as employee and caregiver gave Mary purpose. That all changed in a few short months when her husband lost his courageous battle to cancer and Mary underwent surgery. Complications from her surgery resulted in extensive recovery at a rehabilitation facility. Instead of walking into work to see her picture adorning consecutive slots on the ‘Employee of the Month’ wall, she lay in bed longing for even the smallest sense of normalcy.
Now, ten months post-surgery, Mary continues to heal where she is comfortable – at her home that she’s resided in since 1995. Looking for grocery assistance, Mary turned to Help At Your Door. She reflects, “When I found you guys, I said, ‘Thank God, there is a God!’ They knew just what I needed. They helped me put down the burden on me.”
Mary raves about Help At Your Door staff, Jim, whom she considers a friend. “When Jim delivers food [to me], he is so caring. Jim is awesome. He is so nice. He always trying to help. When he comes and puts my milk in, he’ll take the old one out and put the new one behind it. I am so appreciative.”
Mary shares her gratefulness with neighbors, spreading joy and strengthening connections in her community. She cheerfully notes, “Sometimes I cook something and call my neighbors and they come over to pick up food and they are so happy.”
Her experience with grocery assistance led Mary to explore our other services. She uses our transportation service to go to her medical appointments. Our personalized support is ideal for her situation because she needs help with walking to and from the vehicle as well as getting into and out of it.
She explains, “You help me get rides to my doctors and I am just so appreciative. You guys are very understanding. Sometimes when I need a ride, Cortney [Help At Your Door Administrative Assistant] would call me right back and arrange the rides. A lot of people won’t even bother to call you a second or third time. [With Help At Your Door,] I don’t have to worry if I’m getting a ride. That helps a lot.”
Although she is far better at being a caretaker than allowing others to take care of her, she is still grateful for the assistance she receives. When asked how Help At Your Door has made an impact in her life, she responded, “Everything. They make me feel like I am a person again. Because before I was so alone, and I didn’t know what to do.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving our grocery assistance, home support, or transportation services, please contact us through our website or call 651-642-1892.
