We delivered food to a young woman who could not come downstairs due to health concerns while her mom waited in the driveway to carry the groceries upstairs. We also brought a coffee and a tea so we could share a real visit, chatting through the apartment window with smiles, warmth and a genuine check in between neighbours. With help from community partners who supplied the food and even a small gift of chocolate, the day showed how removing titles and power dynamics turns deliveries into shared humanity that brightens life for all of us.
Today, when I was doing a good deed delivery, a young woman’s mom waited for me in the driveway so she could carry the food they needed upstairs for herself and her daughter who was unable to make the trip down due to health concerns. I stood there in the driveway and heard someone say hi. I turned around to see it was the woman who put in the request who I have seen many times now. She waved and had a huge smile. I let her know I was happy to see her and she explained the same and we had a short chat while her mom brought the items up.
I had decided to bring them a coffee and a tea today as a little gesture of what I could do to show genuine care with the intention of having a visit, as I got myself one too. I’m glad the window in the apartment that faced the driveway allowed us to have a little visit and connect in person like that. It really stuck out to me and it impacted my day but it’s also something that I will always remember which means it impacted my life and how I will go about things moving forward.
“It didn’t feel like a service and a transaction. It just felt like two neighbours visiting who shared a smile, a life update, warmth and someone checking in on another. True community.”
Thanks to my community partner Sai Dham Food Bank who is always there, I was able to do 5 additional good deeds today which were deliveries of food and one scheduled for Monday that they supplied the food for. Thanks also to the Lakeshore Corridor Community Team, as I used a grocery store gift card as well today that they donated to me.
When I picked up the food today, the head of operations and the founder who makes sure 5 million meals get out a month, took time from their day to greet me, gave me a gift, carried the food out themselves to my vehicle, and thanked me for my service even though they were supplying the food. They truly do pack every donation with love. The food bank did the same thing to me, that I did for others today and that’s share genuine connection and appreciation to one another. It sure made a difference in my day too. All involved are giving and receiving in many different ways which makes the day brighter for all of us.
Thanks to my dad at Sawmill Sid’s for helping with offering the truck for deliveries!
Today showed me the power of removing titles, masks, power dynamics, helper/giver and seeing shared humanity. Seeing ourselves in others. Being genuine, down to earth, real and true. That’s the powerful element that flowed through us all today from start to finish and that’s a powerful thing that makes lasting impacts and changes inner worlds and ultimately the world as a whole.
A final thanks again for the gift of chocolate wrapped in gold, as someone must have taught them the way to a woman’s heart is chocolate, and they are absolutely correct!