A week ago, I learnt something I never could have guessed in a million years. I was strolling through the city centre, minding my own business, when I quite literally bumped into an old schoolmate I hadnt seen since the dinosaurs roamed. We exchanged hellos, had a natter, swapped titbits, and somewhere between the gossip she casually dropped, Oh, I work as a nurse at the care home in the village now.
I told her how brilliant that was, saying it must be tough but rather noble. And then, as if she was talking about the weather, she blurts out,
Oh, I see your mum there every last Friday of the month.
I nearly dropped my coffee. I stared at her, gobsmacked, and asked what on earth my mother was doing there. She replied as if I were the one out of the loop,
Didnt you know? She brings treats for all the grannies and granddads. Month in, month out. Lovely bit of charity.
Honestly, I was a bit mortified to admit I had no idea. My own mum had never breathed a word. For a second my mate thought I was pulling her leg, but when she saw my face, she added,
Your mum doesnt make a fuss. Just comes in, says hello, drops everything off, and slips away.
That evening, the moment I got home, I went straight for it:
Mum, why have you never told me you go to the care home every month?
She was sweeping the front room, and barely looked up:
And why would I mention it?
I pressed on:
Because its lovely! Because it matters
She leaned her broom against the wall, looked right at me, and said,
Good deeds arent for show, love. You just do them. Thats enough for me. If theres a God up there, he sees it and thatll do.
She told me that two years ago, after a close friend of hers had passed, she felt the urge to give something back. One day, shed walked past the care home, seen a cluster of elderly folks sitting outside, and just wandered in. She chatted with the staff, asked what little things might make life easier for the residents.
From then on, every last Friday of the month, my mum buys cartons of juice, packets of biscuits, little snacks, and takes them round. Sometimes, she gets wipes or toiletries too depends what her purse looks like that month, if were being honest.
She said she didnt want to involve anyone because she doesnt fancy people thinking she wants a medal or a round of applause. She prefers to do things quietly, her own way.
If you want to help, you help. If not thats alright too. I dont need to announce it. I know what Im about,
she said, loading the dishwasher.
That night, I just couldnt get it out of my head. My mum this ordinary, unassuming woman, who often goes without so she can stretch the pennies goes out of her way every month to make life a bit sweeter for people nobody ever visits. I felt such pride, mixed with a sharp pang that shes carried all of this herself.
Now, Im thinking maybe next Friday Ill go along with her. But Im still working out how to say it, without her thinking Im interfering or treading on her toes.
One things certain though seeing my mum do something so generous, so quietly it shifted something deep inside my heart.
