There is something rather universal, I think, about the way in which we send food to one another when times are tough. We deliver meals to new moms and dads. When a parent dies, we bring by a pizza to our grieving friend. And when kids are in the hospital, we show up with snacks or bring meals to the rest of the family at home.
What we wish we could do is wave a magic wand and get rid of pain and suffering and sickness. Especially in children.
But we can't. So we make a lasagna in a foil pan, or call to have groceries delivered, or mail a Dunkin Donuts gift card. Take it and eat, we seem to say to one another. Nourishment in this very concrete form is one way we hold out hope--life is still worth living! eat and sustain yourself!--and keep the darkness at bay.
That's why I appreciate so much all you have done in these last couple months to nourish Eddie's family. Eddie remains in the ICU--he will not be coming home, the doctors have said, until he receives a double lung transplant. This is really terrible news. Meanwhile his mom, Kori, rushes between the hospital and her home many times a day, trying to sustain both of her boys--Eddie in the hospital, Marshall at home.
It's an in-need-of-extra-nourishment kind of life.
We have lots of opportunities to help them in the coming months as they wait for Kori's beeper to ring, announcing the arrival of new lungs for Eddie. If you are able to make and deliver a meal, consider joining our community group online and signing up on our online calendar at https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/ You'll have to request membership there; please do!
And if you're not nearby to their hometown in Salem, MA but would like to help, consider these options:
Consider calling in a meal for them from a local restaurant or delivery shop. We usually have meals delivered there about 5:30 p.m. (it's helpful to us if you join the online community and put this on the calendar so Kori can see which days to expect deliveries). Local restaurants they enjoy include:
Yan's China Bistro in Swampscott (781) 593-3308
John's Roast Beef in Lynn (781) 595-6105
Mandee's Pizza in Salem (978) 745-6400
Or, consider mailing a gift card for food to the family; those can be super helpful to them on days we haven't signed up to bring or deliver them a meal--which include weekends--and when Kori is in Boston at the hospital. Restaurant gift cards you might consider (that are local for them) include: Panera, Bertuccis, lots of fast food places (McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell are all within walking distance of their home), Au Bon Pain (for use at the hospital), and Dunkin Donuts. Finally, nearby grocery stores (should you want to purchase a gift card and/or have groceries delivered to them) include Shaw's on Highland Avenue in Salem, Market Basket (same location), and Whole Foods (in Swampscott). (To request their mailing address, please email me at mnwinchell (at) hotmail).
Whatever you choose to do, know that your kindness is so much appreciated. What we do when we feed each other is, perhaps, one of the simplest and most profound ways we have to celebrate and encourage life in the midst of painful and nearly-insurmountable circumstances.
Thank you for being a nourishing-friend to Eddie and his family,
Melissa for Eddie's Fund
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