Carers never stop caring
Recently our local vicar reached the grand old age of 65. We held a surprise retirement party for him in the local village hall.
I love these events. There is always such a variety of people there, and often people from the parish who I don’t see very often. It’s nice to have the opportunity to catch up on all their news and share my own with them.
The other thing I like about these events is the food. Being a real foodie I love the ‘shared suppers’ where everyone brings a plate of fare of their own choosing. There are always some extraordinary dishes on the table to try.
We had a collection for Tim, deciding to give him the cash rather than buy an inappropriate or unwanted gift. After all, at 65 he more than likely has everything he needs or wants. We decided he might like to use the money for something like a holiday, or maybe he has a project he can put it towards.
The amount collected was testiment of Tim’s good works in the parish. He was handed nearly £1,000 on the night, in a box that looked like it might have contained a carriage clock. I think he thought it was a carriage clock at first!
Tim made a speech; we expected nothing less from this great narrator. He told us how humbled he was by our generosity, and yet it is he who has been the generous one, constantly giving of his time, always having an ear to listen, a wise word to say. He told us about his decision to give his life to God, and made us all laugh when he said ‘neither of us mentioned me stopping at 65′!
We are expecting a new incumbent in the near future, but Tim will continue to work in our parish – mostly unpaid, of course, as he has been for some years now. People who work in a caring role don’t stop caring just because they reach retirement age. God Bless them.
Enjoy the journey.
Hi Mandy, nice post and one that I can relate to through the voluntary work I do. It never ceases to amaze me how many people can not grasp the fact that I work for nothing and that it actually costs me money to do it.
Each day`s a gift
Colin
Hi Colin, I absolutely agree with you that each day is a gift. Good for you for volunteering. I do too and it is so very rewarding.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy –
I really liked this post and have to say that to me, you are one of the “carers” – always willing to lend a hand and help out in just about every situation that I know of.
Thank you so much for what you have done to help me on this Internet Marketing journey and for what you do for the countless others just to lend a hand. You are a true gem!
Susan
Hi Susan, bless you for that, thank you. We are all helping each other in whatever way we can, and isn’t that such a great feeling. I have been astounded by the caring of the others on the course with us. We are very lucky people to have come together like this.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
yeh that was a really nice post as a tribute to a man who at least is equally nice, a pleasure to know of his exsistance!
TTFN….Ed.
Hi Ed, and they are all around us, those caring people.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Terrific story Mandy. I like that everyone appreciates him, then again he probably has helped everyone in the parish at one time another.
Jay Mueller
http://www.renewableenergyexplained.com
True, Jay, and don’t you find that these caring people, no matter where they are, simply never stop caring?
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Sounds like you live in a nice place Mandy, with a real community spirit. Though I have a feeling wherever you live would be a nice place.
John
Hi John, thanks for visiting. You know, communities are built by all the people who live in them. Nice sentiments though, thank you.
Enjoy the journey,
Mandy
Hello Mandy,
I enjoyed reading your post and he sounds like a nice man. Actually these days 65 is probably too young to retire for many people and I’m sure your local vicar would agree, but then as you said effectively he won’t retire anyway, just continue much of what he’s doing unofficially.
Always enjoy reading your posts.
Best Wishes
Dave
Of course you are absolutely right, Dave, 65 is far too young these days. But don’t you find that caring people never do stop caring? They really are the salt of the earth.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Your story reminds me of my mother in law who is now 83. As long as I have known her she has volunteered in her local community center.She doesn’t think of retiring because, as she says “who would look after the old dears if I wasn’t around”. The fact that the old dears are 10 to 15 years younger than her does not seem to have registered!
I hope you have good times with your new vicar.
Ann
Thanks, Ann. I do believe there are some people who care forever, regardless of age and that is the point I was trying to get across. I also have an elderly friend who does exactly what your mother in law does, and refers to people much younger than herself as ‘the old dears’. Aren’t they funny!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy