Happy Ending for a chair

February 17, 2018 /

This is (a kinda blurry photo of) my friend Dana, who used to be on my Meals on Wheels route. Back in November, she moved into a (very nice) assisted living apartment building. I stop in for a visit occasionally, and on my last visit she mentioned to me how difficult it is for her to get up out of her chair. She had piled up pillows to help. In one of those twists that the universe sometimes takes, a couple of days later I was having dinner with my dear friend Neva, my BF from 6th grade, and she mentioned to me that she needed to sell her mom’s chair (her mom died about 2 months after my dad), which was one of those recliners that boosts you up and helps you get out of your chair. It was $1,000 new, and I don’t think it was ever used. I told her about Dana, but I didn’t think Dana could afford to pay much, if anything, for it. Neva said her mom would want Dana to have it, no charge. So today, Ted and I drove to Ripon to pick it up, and we brought it to Dana. It works like a dream, and she was so happy she started crying. I told Neva, and she said that made her day. All around, I would say a day very well spent. I wish Neva read blogs, but she doesn’t, so I can only tell you about her generosity and what it meant to Dana.

6 Comments

  • nance

    February 18, 2018 at 7:43 am

    What a happy, kind Serendipity Story! And today, I needed to hear it. Bravo for Neva, Real-Life Generous Hero, and cheers to you and Ted for making it all happen. Here’s to Dana getting out of her new chair over and over again to great success.
    XO

    • J

      February 18, 2018 at 8:34 am

      She was SO HAPPY Nance, and it was touching for me and Ted, to see what a few hours of our time meant for her, and how much easier the simple ‘getting out of a chair’ issue will be.

      You know that I am not religious, but Dana is very religious, as is Neva. Dana said she would add Neva to her daily prayers, and Neva was thrilled. It’s a wonderful world, underneath all of the crap.

  • Ted

    February 18, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    I don’t think I ever saw anyone cry after getting a chair. But considering how difficult it’s been for her to get up from the couch without the having all sorts of pillows to prop her up, I can see why she was touched but yours and Neva’s gift.

  • Ally Bean

    February 21, 2018 at 5:12 am

    What a great story. I believe that if you let it stuff finds its way to the proper places. Serendipity kicks into gear, and it goes where it’s meant to be. With a little help from kind people like you and Ted, of course.