A Community To Count On
I love living in Alabama, I love the Southern hospitality, I love that people reach out and help each other in a time of need. We are a very giving community and I think it helps to know you have people you can count on. Who would you call on if you needed help?
When Clarence approached my church Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL and asked for help in preparing his house to bring his mother back home to live out the rest of her life, my Sunday School Class and I jumped at the chance to give back. Clarence’s mother is now suffering from Alzheimer’s and his sister can no longer care for her.
Our class worked with an organization in our Church called Carpenter’s Hands to aid in the repair of the bathroom and kitchen. One aspect to our Fellowship is about development through Giving Back. Giving Back doesn’t always have to be financial. The physical labor we provided to repair his home was a big help and cost savings.
According to a study conducted by MetLife and the National Alliance of Caregiving, the percentage of Americans who provide care for their aging parents has tripled since 1994.
As I swung my sledge hammer to drop the old 1924 Cast iron tub into the basement, where it could be safely removed, I was feeling very grateful and blessed to be part of something worthwhile and able to in a small way give something to Clarence. I was even able to work with an AD affiliate’s inside sales plumbing specialist to purchase a shower valve and replacement tub (one they had in their surplus inventory). Our members’ employees really are the best.
I am grateful for my Church community, my AD community and of course my Alabama community.