Real Life of an MSW

RAVE to the woman who puts jigsaw puzzles in her Little Free Library! They’re such a joy to do, thanks for sharing yours!

RAVE to kindness. Flying home from Oakland, California, a week ago, I was next to a pleasant seatmate with whom I chatted briefly. In contrast to this 86-year-old woman, he was a young family man from Magnolia with three teenaged kids. Arriving in Terminal B, there were numerous empty wheelchairs with no attendants in sight. My kind seatmate said, “Come on, jump in and I’ll push you to the baggage area.” It was a considerable distance, and I’m still appreciating his helpful spirit! Kindness is memorable.

RAVE to the kind gentleman at the Federal Way Fred Meyer who paid my grocery bill for me. I am a 91-year-old senior who probably looked as though I needed all the help I could get. As my T-shirt says, “Growing old is not for sissies.” I was reminded that there are still some wonderful people in this world.

RAVE to the U.S. Postal Service. I am the director of a small nonprofit organization that recently had to fulfill T-shirt orders from schools all over the country. There were nearly 100 packages, all different sizes and weights. This required many trips to the West Seattle post office over the course of about a week. Every package had to be weighed and posted separately. The postal workers were extremely patient, kind and efficient, even giving me tips on how to save money (an inch too long can make a big difference). After a few days and stacks of packages, these folks still seemed happy to see me! Best of all, every single package made it to its destination on time.

RAVE to my outstanding neighbors. I am 99 years old and no longer able to get to my mailbox or work in my yard. My neighbor Wanda brings me my mail every day, and yesterday, she and a friend weeded my entire parking strip. Wanda and my other neighbor Nancy also bring me meals from time to time. I wish everyone could be, and have, such wonderful neighbors. I am so blessed and grateful.

RAVE to the pedestrian who remarked, “Looking good athlete!” as I jogged past. I am no athlete, and I am struggling to lose weight and be healthier. But those kind words motivated me to go another mile!

RAVE to acts of kindness. Last week, my husband was delivered home in a wheelchair after being in rehab for a broken hip. We live on a hill in Magnolia and had told the rehab providers it would take two men to get him into our house, but they only sent one. So after standing on the sidewalk making calls to higher-ups to try to solve it, I saw an appliance delivery truck go by. I flagged them down and told them our problem. These two big strapping guys were happy to help get my husband down to the house. It solved a huge problem for us and reinforced our belief in the goodness of others. We can’t thank them enough. 

RAVE to the summer camp counselors and day care providers who take their young cycling on the bike trails. Although it’s sometimes like herding cats, they do a fantastic job patiently teaching the kids how to keep to the right, stay safe and follow the rules of the road. Extra rave to the kiddos who keep riding even when they’re hot, tired and grumpy. They’re learning skills that they’ll use forever.