A No Panty Day

Several years ago, as church members, another lady and I were assigned to see several women each month.  One of the little ladies was several years older than my companion and I, and suffered from all sorts of illnesses.  The most debilitating was being depressed. 

We visited with our little friend each month, sometimes bringing a message, sometimes a little goody, and she always appreciated our visits.  This woman lived in a small trailer home that she kept neat and tidy, but she was very house bound without the ability to get out on her own. 

One day when we called to visit she said it really wasn't a good day to come, but that she would let us in.  When we arrived, she was still in her night gown, and had been in the same night gown for several days.  Her depression had gotten the best of her, and when she was like this, she would stay in bed all day and all night. We chatted and visited and soon her spirits seemed lifted.  She then announced that as bad as she may look, that she WAS wearing her panties.  I had to laugh inside and didn't quite know what to say besides, " Oh, That's nice," and we went on with our conversation.

I think we all have times of sadness or depression. It's a part of life.  I know I have had my blue moments, and wallowed in the depths of despair.  A doctor might ask when one is depressed, how depressed are you on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being very low and maybe very suicidal.  I think we could also add in that scale whether or not it is a "No Panty Day." 

Most of us don't fall in the category of a "No Panty Day."  Our biggest dilemma is whether we want to wear a certain color, or brand or cut.  Unless one doesn't wear underwear in the first place. Not caring about dressing ourselves, grooming ourselves or taking care of ourselves is an indication that someone is really suffering in one way or the other. 

Our little friend inproved with each of our visits and phone calls.  In fact, I never saw her that low again.  I still keep up with her, although it has been years since I was assigned to visit her, and I live 2 hours away.  She always appreciates my phone calls, and tells me I am her best friend in the whole world.  The saddest part of this whole story is that now this little lady has been in an assisted living residence for a few years,  and only on a couple of occasions has anyone from her church ever visited or called.

People talk about random acts of kindness, and I think they are wonderful ways of showing compassion and caring to others. Many of the old folks homes are visited at Christmastime by carolers, and forgotten the rest of the year.  How much time does it really take out of our lives to remember someone else?  Phone calls, cards, and a short visit can pull someone out of the depths of loneliness and give them a flicker of hope that someone in this world actually cares. 

I have found that helping others when I see a need brings me the greatest joy, and whatever cares I may have been experiencing prior, seem far less important when I am in the service of another. And, although I may be down and out from time to time, with a chuckle I remind myself I am not so low that this is a  "No Panty Day!"

Be Well My Friend,
Char