Often times, I'm asked "What's it like when you do these deliveries?" To put it in a nutshell, it's often very awkward. When strangers show up at a home, especially one that doesn't have much to look forward to, there's not a lot of joy around the house prior to our arrival. Often times, even after we get there, there's still an uncomfortable silence or, blank stare. I think it's a lot to process for our recipients. It's a lot to process for me delivering and, whoever else is with me! In the last two years, there was next to no emotion shown while we were on site. Instead, it's been a simple "Thank you." or, "Why?" That lack of emotion makes you wonder if you've done the right thing or, if you helped the right people. I've spent the last hour in church trying to process this and, this is what I've come up with.
We often know very little about who we are helping. We just know that, through one source or, another, that they need help. In the last four years of doing this with Salty Cajun, and, even in years before with another organization, here are some of the things I've seen. Once, I showed up at a house where Dad was boiling hot dogs on the stove for Christmas dinner. I thought we'd have to call EMT's in to keep him from freaking completely out, due to our presence. Another time, we showed up to help a family where Dad stunk of straight vodka. Some time later, I learned that much of what the organization did for his family was sold to support his pill habit. Another year, a family was helped just so that the crackheaded kids could steal much of what was purchased!
I begged for an answer today and, the only one I feel I received was that, it's our job to do good for others. What they do with it, in return, is up to them.
In closing, I hope the family we helped today genuinely needed it. I pray they use what was done for them wisely. I got a call shortly after that said the woman was in hysterics/crying with joy for what we at Saltycajun.com had done for her and, her kids. I hope we've helped though, sometimes, it is hard to tell with the initial reaction.
Thanks for all who have donated their time, money and, efforts to this! Without you, this would not be possible! May you be blessed tenfold for your generosity!
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