Making new friends

I welcomed the sounds of nature that accompanied leaving the city of Memphis behind; arriving at my destination I heard birds chirping along with the ever-present hum of the South’s cicadas. All of the murmurs of the city had vanished, and I welcomed the relative tranquility. When I arrived at the house, located in Shelby Forest, I was welcomed by a man with a smile and an outreached hand. This was Charlie and he had already started cleaning up the property in anticipation of guests tomorrow. My volunteer task for the day was helping to improve the grounds of Charlie’s household which works with Habitat for Hope. They provide an outdoor retreat for families with children being treated in Memphis area hospitals, allowing them to visit a place outside of the city, to unwind, and enjoy nature.

Right before I got nailed by the wasps

Within minutes of arriving I was trimming bushes. The peace of nature that had quickly come vanished as two wasps planted their stingers into both of my hands nearly simultaneously. The venom radiated across my skin as I let out an embarrassed shriek. The pain in my hands faded as the sensation of perspiration and heat took over. Growing up I had always helped with yard work, but my responsibilities, like lawn mowing and buckeye collecting were always mindless labor. Charlie entrusted me with the aesthetics of the hedges and I cautiously cut the obtrusive limbs, pausing every few minutes for reassurance. Our next task took us to the big red barn. Inside was a play place a child could only dream of. It was equipped with bikes, wooden toy trains and a jungle gym. Charlie gave me cleaning supplies including a brush to remove spider webs. I entered the maze of plastic obstacles and I contorted my body through the steps and tubes. While I scrubbed the play place clean I realized what extensive effort goes into institutions like this one, and how a little bit of my elbow grease would help the operation run a little more smoothly for Habitat for Hope.

No detail overlooked

Following a midday meal with Charlie’s family I felt the self-conscious feeling that slowed me down earlier in the day began to fade away as I worked toward my goals. The work itself became therapeutic and the day drifted by faster than it had before. After we completed the transformation of the yard, Charlie singled that the effort was done for the day. We put the tools in the shed and continued on the land leading to the stables. As we checked on the horses the two of us began to banter, it was the start of a conversation that became seamless and seemed unending. We discussed Tennessee history, and places to visit in the mid-south. When the conversation came to an an end I said my farewells to the family and Charlie, he offered me something to quench my thirst before I got in my sun roasted car.

While the day began with an annoying trial, it could hardly qualify as suffering, and I was content to work hard throughout the day. I was helping an effort today that served to supply others with the same sanctuary I felt when I arrived. I felt harmony at this place, before and after the chance encounter with wasps, and can image the magnified effect for families in need of a retreat. As I drove back to Memphis I felt the satisfaction of a day’s work in the heat. My face was red from the sun and my lip salty from evaporated sweat. I had felt the pride of doing physical work to help a great cause. I realized the most important gift that Habitat for Hope provides is a sense of community. Between eating lunch with the family, sharing work, conversation and interests with Charlie, I really left feeling like I had new friends, and a place I could go to connect with both people and nature.