In answer to a question at Home Ec 101, here is a list of things we kept handy for when people would call and ask what they could do when my dad was dying of cancer 6 years ago. My brother was also dying of cerebral palsy and the complications of a trache. When people call to ask what they can do to help, you are often at a loss for words. But remember, this is their chance to receive a blessing, so have a list ready and suggest a few things on it.
For those of you who have asked how can you help us in this time of need, here is a list of things we can always use help with:
Groceries:
Household help:
Sit with one of them while we take showers, sleep or eat
Cut the grass
Prepare a meal or come clean up after one (we rarely had time to do a lot of housework)
Come by and talk with us and allow us to cry away from their presence.
Pay bills (yes, it’s hard to find time or concentration to do this simple chore, and if you can just hand off the check book and bills to another person for a day, it is a big help-we didn’t want them to financially pay them, but physically pay them.
Play with my kids (they were too little to be good all of the time and needed some love and attention too.)
Drive us to hospital visits (not everyone has a family member that can be available to do that)
Bring us:
Newspaper especially if you live in a different area
Old books you are finished with
Sermons from your church (believe me, at three am you will listen to anything, including one or more sermons. 😉 )
And before and after you do any of the above, pray for us. We covet that from you the most.
People often feel awkward telling someone what they want, but people are calling because they truly want to help. What a clever thing to have done…this way, the help you received was truly wanted and meaningful, something the givers could obviously see.