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Guest post by my dear friend, Deb Gardner Allard, author.

How Can We Help?

We never know when our lives might be upended. One minute we’re running around at high speed and boom, an accident occurs, and we’re immobile for several months. Especially if we’re quite active, having our routines suddenly come to a stop can be devastating. Two hundred pounds of granite crushed my foot. Needless to say, multiple bones were broken in multiple places. But during the ongoing recuperation, I’ve been blessed by wonderful friends and family. Many people ask, “How can we help?”

Here are some things people are doing that brighten my day.

Visiting–talking and/or watching ongoing series together or playing a game like Yahtzee.

Washing, drying, and hanging clothes while doing the above.

Manicuring nails–something I can do for others and also receive.

Massaging hands and feet–relaxing and pain reducing.

Cooking–making a pot of something: chili, stew, soup, pasta dish, or some other yummy meal ahead of visit and dividing it into small plastic containers to create meals for a week.

Sending cards or free e-cards once a week.

Writing frequent emails with cheerful backgrounds.

Sending an unexpected gift in the mail–a book (used books are a fantastic gift), a video, magazine, puzzle book, or creative gift box with items a person would appreciate while recuperating.

Bringing a gift such as socks, a blanket, a mug (along with a meal of soup), hand lotion, hand sanitizer, towelettes, etc.

Staying for a couple hours so the care-giver can run errands.

AND last, but truly the best gift ever.

Praying for pain relief and recovery.

These are simple ideas but huge blessings for someone recuperating. Many involve nothing but time. In our busy day and age, the gift of time is more valuable than money. My friend, Pat, sent cards every week, cheery emails, and even an unexpected gift in the mail. My daughter got me hooked on “True Detective” which we watched together, and my daughter-in-law brought food and did our laundry while we watched “The Bachelor,” just to name a few wonderful deeds by family and friends. They were all blessings I’ll remember forever.

Next time someone is recuperating, instead of asking “What can I do?” consider something above and surprise them. It will make their day!

Bio:  Deb Gardner Allard enjoys writing for children of all ages. Her picture book, Baby Poopsie Loves Ears, illustrated by award-winning illustrator Jack Foster and published by Guardian Angel Publishing is a jovial joy ride in alliteration. Deb is now in the midst of penning three middle grade novels. When she isn’t writing, Deb and her hubby enjoy exploring Michigan towns and walking the boardwalk along Lake Michigan in quaint little Grand Haven. To check out her book, click the link below.

https://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/poopsie.htm

You can learn more about Deb at her website:

http://www.debgardnerallard.com

 

A year or so ago, I received a handcrafted gift from a friend. It was most unexpected, but a gift I will always cherish. She spent hours creating a heart from an old used book. I’ve seen many pieces of her handiwork, and she teaches herself by watching videos or YouTube. I’m amazed at her creativity.

She even signed her name and thanked me for being her friend. I keep the book on top of a file cabinet near my computer desk where I write. And when I need an uplift, I look at my heart and say, “Thank you, Sarah.”

Sometimes the best medicine is knowing someone cares.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 

For several years I kept a basket filled with prizes and treats on a table by my front door. When my grandchildren, nieces, nephew, or neighbor children would visit, I let them select a prize to take home.

Often when the grandchildren stopped by, they would bring my mail inside or set the garbage can out by the road. My grandson continues to help me lift fifty pound bags of sunflower and bird seed along with water softener salt bags. It’s nice to show him how much I appreciate the added help.

My basket wasn’t large enough to hold the bigger items. I now fill a big box from a set of three nesting boxes.

If you want to thank a child for something they’ve done to help you, this is a terrific idea! And maybe they’ll carry on the tradition when they’re grown with families of their own.

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

UPDATE!

If you read my post The Valentine Tree, I recently decorated it for St. Patrick’s Day. Another fun time! And I’m already planning The Easter Tree.

My sister-in-law recently returned home from rehab and is receiving in-home therapy. Since therapy can last for several weeks or months, our family visits her on a regular basis.

I noticed her tabletop Christmas tree hadn’t been packed away and came up with a great idea to keep it decorated for the holidays and changing seasons.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so I thought I would cover the tree with handmade valentines and Dum-Dums. When her great-grandchildren come to visit, they can select a treat. What a wonderful memory for them to cherish.

                   

Any handmade decorations will work. I used bits and pieces of craft items I already had available.

If you have someone recovering at home, and you’d like to cheer them up, this is a great project. A small centerpiece tree would work too.

She has no idea what I have in store for future trees. And I hope to share my favorites ones with you.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

1 John 4:19 (NKJ)

We love Him because He first loved us.