"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy." - Kahlil Gibran

A couple of days ago I was in our neighborhood P-Patch (community garden) and was greeted by one of the other gardeners with whom I am relatively newly befriended. This person is older than myself and has some health issues which prevent her from doing work that is too laborious or she has to use her oxygen tank. This however, doesn't seem to have slowed her down any. She seems to prefer to wind up having to run home and sit with her oxygen on, than to not be out with all of us working in the garden. 

Now, I have come to have a soft spot for this woman whom I will call Mary (not her real name). Mary seems to have taken a liking to me, and I to her as well. She often seeks me out at the garden, and will even occassionally give me a call when I haven't been around for a bit to find out where I am. The other day when I saw Mary, it suddenly occurred to me (knowing her economic situation), that perhaps she could use some food, and since I had just come from the store I gave her some of what I had, then asked if she needed a ride to the food bank (knowing she used these resources). She immediately lit up and answered that YES, she would love a ride if I was going to the food bank. I replied that I wasn't going myself, but would be happy to bring her there. She accepted the offer and ran home to get her bags and card.

All the way to the food bank she thanked me for my generosity and praised God for bringing me to her to give her a ride. I told her it was really not a big deal, but admittedly felt within myself a bit of pride that I was doing a good thing. After we got her re-registered (it seems it had been awhile since she had last been there) and got her food, she asked if we might pass the dollar store on the way back so she could pick up some gallons of water. I (rather begrudgedly) said sure but that I had to hurry now as I had some other things l still had to get done. We got her water and I brought her home. The entire trip Mary kept thanking me for helping her, saying it was hard for her to get to the food bank since she didn't drive, and telling me I was her angel. The whole process between the food bank and the dollar store took about an hour and a half. I got Mary and her groceries safely deposited at her apartment, and went home feeling happy I had helped somebody. 

Well today I got a phone call from Mary. She was calling to tell me that I needed to come over and pick up some food because she was cooking for me. " I made you my traditional sauce and am putting it on the spaghetti I got at the food bank. Remember Angela, that you told me I could take two packages of spaghetti (it was what they allowed)? Well, I'm making one for you!" I protested, telling her that there was no need, that she should keep the food, it was for her. "No," she says, "You are my angel, and I want to share what I have with you. I want to cook for you, to share my food with you. I want to share what I have with you." What could I say to that? "Thank you Mary." I told her. 

I am humbled. My friend who has so little for herself, and whose work cost her the very air she breathes, serves me out of love, out of friendship, out of gratitude for something that in reality cost me so little. I am humbled. 

Thank you Mary for the lesson in service. While I had served Mary out of love for her, I admit that I had some pride within myself for doing something good for her. What I carry with me now is the joy in serving Mary, and the joy she returned to me in serving me - the latter a most unexpected gift. Thank you Mary for the lesson in love, community, and what can only be called God. I am humbled.