GainesvilleMoms.com

I just would like to put a reminder post up. In this day and time when people are so busy with their lives. Take a few mintues and check on older neighbors, caregivers, and so on. In this day when emailing and text are so huge. So many, could just like to chat for a few mintues to make there day. It is just a kind thing to do.

What a great reminder. On Saturday we had a yard sale, and our sweet old lady neighbor across the street came over (she's in her 90s) and just talked for a while. I found out that she has no family in Florida! She does have friends and is still pretty active, but I need to make it a point to visit her and just talk. reshing for me to talk with

We have a lovely elderly neighbor on this street of just 11 houses. She knows EVERYTHING there is to know about Gainesville, having lived here most of her 83 years and being very well educated and involved in the community.

She is beginning to have physical problems, so our children (8 & 14) take her trash, recycling and lawn clippings out to the street every Wednesday evening (and bring the cans/bins back on Thursday evening). It's not much, but it helps her.

What's perhaps even more important is that it has taught our children to show empathy for others. I learned from my volunteering parents that it's not what we SAY to our kids that make them compassionate; it's how we role model compassion. That's a big reason I used to make my kids go with me to the nursing home on their days off (I am a Eucharistic minister) and I used to make them help me collect items for the migrant program and for Catholic Charities. Now I don't have to ask; they ASK ME if they can come. It's a really good feeling to know they actually want to help others and share their many blessings with those less fortunate.

On a separate note, please say a prayer for Mary Rodgers and her family. She died yesterday. I went to visit her at Hospice this morning and was told she had passed (I had been away all weekend and hadn't seen her since Thurs). She was the sweetest, nicest 96-yr-old anyone could know (it was truly a pleasure, even though she had told me she was just 84 and she leaves behind three wonderful grown sons who brought up great kids (all college age or older). Mary's sons, especially, could use your prayers at this time. Thank you so much.

We will remember Mrs. Rodgers.

When I was young my mom used to take me to a nursing home and because I was a little uncomfortable, she told me to do something with the ladies I was good at and enjoyed. So...every week I showed up with my 50 or so nail polish colors in hand and went around giving free manicures to all the ladies! It was really fun actually and I've been thinking about volunteering again. They love babies!

Thank you for the reminder. It's too easy to get caught up in everything that's going on in our day-to-day lives, that we forget those who are right in front of us and could just use a kind word or a moment of our time.

We'll keep Mrs. Rodgers in our prayers.

Received the following e-mail this morning from a friend who's involved w/ Arbor House (the home for pregnant mothers). If you can help, please do. I'm just too old for this one, unfortunately.
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Greetings!

We are in need of a few sets of baby monitors at Arbor House. We recently had 2 new additions at Arbor House and need monitors for these new moms. If you have monitors to donate, please bring them by M-F between 9am-5pm.

Thanks so much!


Gwen Cadre

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Two at a Time
Arbor House, Inc.
PO Box 12363
Gainesville, FL 32604

(352) 371-2229

I have two monitors-one still in the box. I will drop them off. Thanks for sharing the request!