Letter delivers flowers and ‘cheesies’

Re: “Sprouts, bananas and grocery lessons” (Letters, July 16)

Some letters to the editor generate more responses than others. This week’s light-hearted missive by 83-year-old Helen Wojcik of St-lambert — about her adventures in online grocery shopping — struck a chord with readers.

Wojcik wrote with humour about receiving one banana instead of one bunch, more brussels sprouts than she knew what to do with, and “cheesies” snacks instead of cheese. “But so what?” she wrote. Mistakes like these make her locked-in life less dull, and she looks forward to her next delivery.

Readers appreciated her sunny take in these dark times. Some sent letters to the Montreal Gazette; others reached out to her directly.

“It made me feel so good to hear that it added just a little bit of levity for so many people,” Wojcik told us. “Believe it or not, I have received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from one reader, some cheesies from another, a couple of phone calls and several emails. Who knew?”

And who knows what her next delivery might bring, though Wojcik admitted, “I’m thinking of making the same ‘mistake’” regarding the cheesies.

In the meantime, here are some of the letters we’ve received:

Helen, thanks for the wakeup smile this morning. I am nine years your junior, and if I can shrug off the minor inconveniences in life with your sense of humour, I have a lot to look forward to. James Markham, Hudson

Thank you, Helen Wojcik, for giving me a great laugh this morning. And thanks for printing that letter, Gazette editors. We all need to keep our sense of humour during these trying times, and how great to hear there are people looking on the bright side of life!

Lynda Porter, Montreal

Many thanks to Helen Wojcik. Her letter had me laughing out loud, and I felt encouraged by her wonderful sense of humour.

Joslyn Schultz, Dorval

Helen Wojcik now has more brussels sprouts than most grocery stores do!

Yes, navigating the sites for ordering groceries can be a challenge.

My neighbour thought she ordered a large bottle of ginger ale. She got one mini can! She poured some rum into a glass, mixed it with the ginger ale and toasted the universe.

Helen is an inspiration. If a senior of 83 can find humour through all this madness, anyone can.

Sue Roberts, N.D.G.