Charity

Last Friday, my Mom and I were on our way to run errands. As we pulled out of the driveway and down the street, I noticed a couple of envelopes in her hand.
I said, "Do we need to stop by the post office first? It looks like you've got mail."
She said, "Oh, no. these are my bragging notes. I want to read them to you."

First, she told me about a friend of hers in the ward, named Naomi. Another of her friends, Molly, had just passed away in the last couple of weeks. Naomi and Molly used to sit together in Sunday School and Relief Society. She said it was really sweet, because right after church, the priesthood would always carry in the two soft chairs from the foyer and place them right in the front row, so Naomi and Molly could see and hear the lesson in comfort.

Now Molly was gone. Naomi would be by herself. It would be hard. As church began that day, Mom looked around, only to catch Naomi's eye. She gestured a wave of "Hello, How are you?" towards Molly. The greeting was reciprocated. After church, Dad went one way and so Mom continued on to Gospel Doctrine to save him a spot. She entered the room, noticing people around Naomi, encouraging her to come and sit by them. Naomi kindly declined. (Being 85, it's hard to get up and down, once you're in your spot.) Mom also headed Naomi's way and quietly sat down next to her.

During the week, the mail came. This was the first note in Mom's hand. It was from Naomi's daughter from a different ward, who had apparently learned of Mom's kindness through Naomi. She said Mom probably had no idea how much her small gesture of just sitting by Naomi meant to her that Sunday. She was so grateful for Mom's attentiveness. It made Mom feel good. "Isn't that sweet?" she said.

Mom opened the next note. It was from Naomi. Her heartfelt gratitude was written, too, for her friendship and love. It made Mom feel really good.

She talked on about another friend, who she decided to call to offer a ride to Molly's funeral. Instead of Mom picking her up, she was delighted to pick up Mom. It felt good.

During the errand drive, I learned how Mom really missed the neighbors across the bike path from them. Not because they moved, but because they planted greenery to block the activity of the active path. Mom used to be able to see them and wave. They had been over for ice cream several times and had lent Dad a hand. She was planning on driving over to extend an invite to hear Jon's group sing.

We pulled in and passed her good neighbors home across the road. The mother had been converted to the church about a year ago, due to friendships and examples - Mom being a part of that. She said, "and since I'm on a roll, I need to invite their family over."

We laughed.

I have thought of her friends and ward support so much. She is what sisterhood is all about. There are so many people in her life that she is connected to. She connects out of love. These are the people that give her strength. She carries on unselfishly and with gratitude. Her own Mother was a wonderful example of that. I'm thankful for Mom's example of charity. It truly "never faileth". No matter what your age.