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7 selections of fresh vegetables
6 selections of
fresh fruits
7 varieties of
frozen meats
5 bags of
non-perishables
1 bag of paper
products and personal care items
Gifts from a Secret Pal
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Here
at HSP, we often hear heartbreaking stories of loss and hardship from our
seniors. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to learn some of what our
seniors go through on a daily basis. For many of them, deprivation and
despair are nothing new. They have endured a lifelong struggle with poverty
which has only gotten worse as they
have grown older. When we hear their stories, however, it only
strengthens our resolve to continue to bring compassion into their lives
through our Senior Citizen
Program. One senior who has had a particularly harsh life is Victoria. At
93 years old, Victoria has
endured a lifetime of tragedy
which would stir sympathy in even the most cynical among us.
Chicago was where
Victoria spent her childhood, but her family moved to a farm when she was
young. She fondly remembers playing with the animals on the farm, saying
that they kept her company because the isolation of living on a farm meant
that
she had few human friends. Victoria’s mother died of scarlet fever when she was
young, and her father and oldest brother left her and her siblings on the
farm for a whole year while they went to Chicago to find work. She says that
during this time no one ever came by to check up on them. These harrowing
events were merely foreshadowing a life filled with tragedy and anguish.
Victoria was married to a
man named Edward, who she loved dearly. Edward died in his 50s of a heart
attack, leaving Victoria to take care of their children
by herself. Victoria
considers herself lucky, however, because most of Edward’s family had
already passed away of heart attacks in their early 40s. Edward and
Victoria had three children, one of whom was adopted because Victoria almost
died in childbirth delivering her second child. Only one of her children is
still alive. Her first child died when their upstairs neighbor fell asleep
smoking, and their apartment burned down. Victoria was so distraught
that she had
a heart attack and was hospitalized. Victoria’s second child died when a
drunk driver ran over her in a stolen truck. As if all of this wasn’t
more than enough for one
woman to take, her remaining child has cancer in her spine, and Victoria was
forced to raise her grandchildren because
their mother was too
sick.
Complicating matters
further are Victoria’s numerous health problems. She has had 24 surgeries in
the last few years, mostly on her knees and hips. She has great difficulty
walking because of this. She also had a stroke a few years ago. As a final,
cruel twist of fate, this poor woman who has suffered so much can’t even lie
down because it causes her too much pain in her hip. Instead, Victoria has
to sleep sitting up in a chair. On an income of only $736 a month, it’s
unbelievable that she is able to press on
at all.
When we first met
Victoria in 2003, we were filled with sadness at her situation, but her story
also moved us to act. We knew that we could make a difference in her life!
Victoria has had much to worry about over the years, but she can rest
assured that she will never have to worry about where her next meal will be
coming from. Each month she is delighted to receive 90 lbs. of groceries,
including non-perishables, fresh produce, paper products, and personal care
items delivered right to her door by one of our volunteers. She says that in
93 years, no one has helped her like we have.
A few years ago, we even arranged for an
Eagle Scout to build a wheelchair ramp for her trailer, making it easier for
her to get in and out!
Things to Remember about Victoria:
• Victoria’s birthday is December 23, 1914.
• She has a puppy who keeps her company.
• She likes waffles and vegetables.
• Her income is $736 a month.
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