November 4, 2009

Dear Volunteers and Supporters,

Our 12th year as organizers of Tuesday’s Out of the Cold has begun with a collective sigh of relief from our volunteers and appreciative guests, all 135 of them. It was no surprise that we all wanted to share updates with each other. Some happy, some sad, some shocking. After a seven month hiatus, our arrival marks once again a special cycle of caring which may, after a while, seem rote, “something arrived at by routine or habit rather than by careful thought and understanding.” But OOTC is a ritual, both a burden and a gift; this is what makes it worth doing and having and keeping. So, thank you to Joanne and Lila who have assembled THE WORLD’S BEST challengers of hunger, loneliness, and weariness.

Dinner was Miriam’s delicious, hearty vegetable soup followed by Louise’s comforting chicken over rice with mushroom cream sauce, tossed salad, steaming cauliflower, carrots and broccoli, bananas, and apples….proving once again that our restaurant creates awesome dinners like magic! Abracadabra!

You may want an update or three on some of our guests.

After dinner, one Jewish guest, better known as Huffy the Clown, said that he recognized the Hebrew prayer, Shehecheyanu, that I offered in English  last night before dinner began. It is recited in thanks or commemoration of the first performance of certain mitzvot (good deeds) in a year, or for seeing a friend who has not been seen in a long time, etc. “Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and has enabled us to reach this occasion.”

A mom and dad with MS who is confined to a wheelchair brought their little boy for dinner. Nosy me asked how old little Arik is. Mom replied, “He’s two; actually his birthday is TODAY.” (Stop reading… absorb….wipe away a tear.) Shocked and overcome that a young family came to a soup shelter to dine and celebrate a Shehecheyanu moment, I spread the news to Hava, our breakfast-turned-evening volunteer, who, with every ounce of her teenage exuberance, ran off to make Arik a colourful birthday card and baggy filled with goodies tied off with curly ribbon. The entire dining room joined together to sing “Happy Birthday” to a beaming Arik. Special moment, indeed.
And finally, many of you know our guest Jean who periodically comes with her grandsons Jayson,8 and Nicholas, 5. They were not present last night, but I’ve spoken to Jean through the break. Her challenges raising the boys have not ceased. Jayson experienced a stroke in the Spring, but his speech is improving slowly and Nicholas has a full time educational assistant now and attends speech therapy. Every year, we buy gifts for the family for Christmas. Any appropriate presents, gift certificates, or cash that you would like to contribute would be most welcome!

So, we’re off and running! We’ve connected again and I’m as excited as I know you are, to lend a “sanitized” hand, and to feed the souls and stomachs of those who will come this season to Out of the Cold. See you all next week.

Cindy

Responses:

Hello Cindy, Thank you for your speedy and informative missive.  It was comforting to be "back in business" with the good people at Out of the Cold. Best wishes, Norma


Cindy: Thank you for a truly heartfelt and warming account of last night. Somehow I missed the birthday party but am so glad we were able to make Arik's evening meal special. Susan

Hi Cindy I look forward to your report  it is always good to know what is going on behind the scene  now I will try to collect something for that young family    Have a good week     Jeanette

Dearest Cindy:
Thank you, for many, many things---not least, your gracious leadership (and sleeves rolled-up seemingingly indefatigable work ethic), but mostly for your sensitivity and most gracious approach and appreciation of all those you meet. Blessings on you! Ahuva