A sideways look at life:

Tales of the foodbank provoke joy and sadness but, above all, hope

There was much to break a heart, and much to patch it back up again. On the one hand, she was happy, chatty, and couldn’t take her eyes off the scan pictures. This was her first baby, she radiated happiness, and people gathered around to share it with her. On the other hand, she’d next to nothing to offer a baby, and she was waiting for emergency foodbank supplies. On the one hand, people might say she should be fending for herself. On the other hand, people she had never met were caring for her and her baby-on-the-way. Much to be sad about, much to find joy in. And, while some will tend more towards one option than the other, it is possible to appreciate both. She and her child will have difficult times. May they also know beauty and love.

I have a friend who has been in a pretty fragile emotional state recently.

When she was at her lowest, she was shown unexpected kindness by a stranger, an older woman who treated her like a beloved daughter and saw her safely home.

From the description, it turned out that the stranger was also a friend of mine.

Which suggests to me that either I have a wonderful bunch of friends, or that we are all more inter-linked than we realise.

I’d go along with both of those ideas.

There’s a phrase people often use when coincidences like this happen.

They say: “It’s a small world, isn’t it?” I have another take on it.

Rather than saying it’s a small world I prefer to say: “It’s a big family, isn’t it?”

I had been chauffeuring people to and from her mother’s funeral; from the church to the crematorium, to the hotel, and back home again.

Afterwards, she wanted to thank me. It wasn’t necessary. My new friends had been a complete delight.

Her brother, a friend of mine, introduced me. She didn’t believe him.

She told me when she and her friend were compiling a spoken newspaper for the blind, if they had time left over they would fill it by reading a “Francis Gay”. Those stories of you, compiled by me, were her go-to, ever-dependable, resource.

When he finally convinced her, I think she was impressed. But, I know I was! I pass on stories of how wonderful people are. She and her colleague shine a light in people’s darkness. And if I can help provide even the tiniest flicker off that light… well, Alice, I am honoured. Thank you!

It was a dilemma. It was Elizabeth’s birthday and the Lady of the House and I wanted to get her a gift.

She does so much for others, we felt it was only fair. But, what to get her?

We didn’t know what she needed, and we were sure that if we gave her money in a card, she would spend it on others.

So, we compromised on giving a gift card from a women’s clothes shop. Surely, she would have to buy something for herself. She did. And she didn’t. She bought a lovely warm top, with the words “You Are Loved” embroidered on the front.

“Just a little reminder for everyone I meet when I’m wearing it,” Elizabeth said. “Hopefully, it’ll brighten a few people’s days.”

Even when doing something for herself, she was still doing something for others!