12 January 2010

Sweetheart Supper

Let me preface this post: this is not about me or to pat myself on the back. Just wanting to encourage you to be thinking of others in this season. Next month I will be hosting the Sweetheart Supper. My mom and I started this little service project 5 years ago. Mom and I knew a few of the elderly ladies in our community who would likely be forgotten on Valentine's Day. We made up simle little invitations and invited the ladies to my home for a simple meal. In just a few years, it has grown quite a bit. Thanks to a couple of my friends who've stepped up and helped, Ryan and I (mom let me run with it after a few years) no longer have to finance it ourselves or do all the work. The Sweetheart Supper is still simple but fun. We live in a small rural area where 3 towns make up the Valley community. With the thoughtful hearts, working hands and financial help, we've been able to invite all the widowed and never-married mature women in our community to a free 5 course meal. Several people in the community know about it and have even contributed $20 here and and flowers there. Some of the women drive themselves while others take us up on the offer to be picked up for their date. The women arrive ready for a night out with big smiles on their faces. They get served, have a chance to share, and are sent/taken home with a small gift. Certainly these women are not forgotten on a day when most women would love a little extra attention. This year as I begin thinking about and planning for the Sweetheart Supper, I wonder what else people are doing to serve others. Do you have plans to make the day or night special for someone who might otherwise be forgotten? Would you be willing to go together with another friend or another couple and invite some elderly, and perhaps lonely, women into your home for Valentine's. It doesn't have to be extravagant. For those who know me well, you know that I'm not famous in the kitchen. Fortunately I have friends that have helped in that arena. I don't yet know what our Sweetheart Supper will look like this year but I do know that I'm more blessed to give than they are to receive each of the last 5 Valentine's Days.

2 comments:

Sincerely Iowa said...

What an amazing thing you do for these women! I am sure this means more to them than you could ever know.

What a great idea! Reading this brought tears to my eyes.

Jody said...

I love that you do this. I need to talk to the ladies in my church and put something together now that we have a building. Thank you for reminding me!