Hours after hearing that one of our daughters had been admitted to the intensive care unit at Medical City, our neighbors established a “care chain”. This chain was so immense and so strong that it seemed even the forces of nature couldn’t break it.
Immediately, we were flooded with phone calls and notes. Nightly dinners began appearing and were delivered to our doorstep at 5 p.m. This ritual continued for weeks. Our neighbors’ sincerity and unrelenting concern was overwhelming.
My other children were immediately welcomed into the homes of friends’ families throughout our neighborhood. For someone else to know that my little ones hurt and needed their friends during this time is a heartfelt statement that only one mother can give to another.
I was fed, called, written to, hugged, prayed for and had my other children cared for by our friends. What a gift to have these treasures of friendship all given at the same time.
I felt blessed.
Throughout this time, we have found ourselves on our neighbors’ prayer lists in their Bible studies, at their family dinner tables and beside their children’s beds.
Some of the people praying for us were people I knew very well, some were acquaintances, some were just familiar faces at the grocery store, and some were people I didn’t know at all.
I believe in the power of prayer, and I was touched – really. My eyes swell with tears every time I think of the generosity of each of these people.
Of course we all have friends and loved ones in parts of this City, but our neighbors are the ones who have their eyes on us. They know when the lights don’t come on at night and when the garage door doesn’t open and close each day.
I suspect they can almost feel when a home isn’t functioning on its regular schedule.
My friends – my neighbors.
Not everyone can refer to both groups as one.
I have felt open arms and open hearts reaching out to my family every minute of every day. As I sat down to address my thank-you notes, each envelope required the same Zip code – 75214.
We are more than a post office number. We are a neighborhood of goodwill.
God bless to all. Thank you from the Shaws.
