Our neighbors who happen to be our best friends are going through a very hard time. We would like to do something to let them know how much they are appreciated and how much we care for them. I want it to be very special so I thought I would ask all of you. Here is their story.
They both work full time and have two daughters that live at home (19 & 20 year olds) plus her father lives with them as well. The 20 year old is 8 months pregnant and is not with the father so they are trying to prepare the house for a new baby of which they are excited about however nervous about it too. The 19 year old just was in a very serious car accident two weeks ago and is now at home with a very bad leg injury that requires her to not stand on the leg for 2 1/2 months plus there will be about 7 months of recovery time until she is back to her old self. The brother-in-law is going through a divorce and is laying a lot of stress on them. On top of all that with the economy the way it is money is getting tight for them. So with all that said they are under a ton of stress. We just want them to know we care so much. We have told them and I know they know that but it would be nice to either do something or get them something. Any suggestions ladies?
How about getting them some meals from Meal Makers or another place like that where you prepare the meals, take them home and cook them when you're ready to eat them? I did that for a friend once when she was going through a rough time and she was so appreciative.
What about some premade meals to stock their freezer with. Sometimes, just taking the stress of buying and cooking meals can help immensely. What a wonderful neighbor you are for being willing to help. Wanna be mine?? ;)
Wow have they been dealt a hand! It sounds to me like your time and support would be the most helpful. Bring over some homemade meals for them so they do not have to spend money on carry out or worry about cooking. Get them some groceries or offer to run some errands for them when you are out and about. Maybe offer to stay with the leg injured daughter so they can get some rest or take a break from the house. Baby gifts and money always work great for any family expecting a new edition. Maybe set up a night a week to go over and play games or watch fun movies with some sacks to lift their spirits. It is something everyone can participate in. You could help them clean and tend to the house or offer to help take care of yard work (things that go overlooked in stressful family times or that can seem overwhelming). Good luck and I hope things look up for them.
First off let me say that they are lucky to have friends/neighbors like you. Do you have any homes for sale near you? :)
How about taking them our for a relaxing dinner and some laughs. Let them know that you are there for them see what or how you can help.
Honestly, I have always appreciated a nice home cooked meal when things are tough in my household! It is a way to nurture the body (with good food), the soul (with the nice thought), the pocketbook (a FREE meal!), and the mind (no stress of cooking tonight for them). Add a nice card to let them know how much they mean to you and it's a gift as good as gold!
I would say as others have mentioned, meals. Or, maybe even a gift card to Costco/ grocery store. No, it's not a fancy gift, but sometimes practical is a good place to start with that many people to feed. Or even a gift card to a nice restaurant and movie for a little get-away for the night. So nice of you to think about neighbors in need !
I agree with Nicole- having some of the everyday things taken care of definately helps me when I'm stresses. Things like a meal, cleaning, yardwork, etc. Sometimes being able to cross an extra chore or two off your to do list is the best gift in the whole world. It's friends like you that make life worth while. Good luck and I wish your friends the best in their trying time.
Sounds like your friends need a well deserved R&R weekend.
Why not send them to a local resort for a weekend. All the nice resorts in the valley are offering excellent deals.
We just stayed at the Millenium in Scottsdale. Rate was $109/night with $100 food & beverage credit. The resort was not luxury, but still nice and comfortable. The Hilton Pointe Hotels offer $79/night rate plus F&B credits.
They could enjoy a get-away weekend that would be inexpensive, but well worth the R&R needed to refuel them.
Hi J.!
God Bless your giving heart!! Well, being that I am and have been in extremely stressful times in my household. I thought it would be nice to hear from someone on the other side.
Well, Jan L. had it right, and the absolute "best" idea! Second being the meals, third would be help with baby gifts for the daughter expecting.
I think if you would ask them (which I had some wonderful friends "ask" at times "we want to help, this is what were thinking", "which would better serve you"?) My husband and I are givers and when we were on that side of the coin there were times I did that. Sometimes you could be really surprised as to what they would pick. However, there are people though, that would choose the lesser because they are really embarrassed to say. Even though your heart is to give more and you can afford it. But it can be awkward for the person receiving to admit what they could really use. A lot of that depends on how long you have known eachother and your friendship.
But if you really want to surprise them and not ask them directly. By far I would say to get them the weekend away. Those prices that Jan L. was mentioning were reasonable. Here's the prospective from one who is in it right now. They would love a night or weekend to have some R & R AWAY from their problems or stresses. How about this, or away from the people or things that cause stresses (even phone calls)! Sometimes getting away can be just the re-charge you need to be able to come back home and face it with a new prospective and or the strength and energy to face another week, month, or year!
Hope this helps hearing it from one who is in it and would love a weekend away! Your a wonderful friend and I am glad to say that my wonderful friends have and are doing some awesome "acts of mercy & love" on my family's behalf.
God Bless You and Your Efforts!
A.
My goodness, they sure have more than enough going on! God bless them! On a personal level, I would suggest gift cards to grocery stores or Wal-mart. That seems to be the biggest thing you can do by yourself. As for a community thing rallying around the family, you could ask your church to get involved, or theirs, assuming you or they have a church home. Most are really great about lifting uo this family in prayer and finding donations of clothes, or baby needs along with a diaper drive in the neighborhood. Hope that gives you a little direction. Thank you for your compassion on them.
Hi, J. -
Your friends sound like they really have their plate full right now, and you are sweet to want to help them. What immediately came to mind is that they could use a night out. Perhaps a gift certificate to a nice dinner, or a dinner and show? Offer to do whatever is necessary at the house in order for them to get away for one lovely evening.
I know I'd sure appreciate that.
Good luck.
Oh my goodness! First off, I'll be praying for your neighbors. I've been on bedrest for the last month, and still have close to a month to go, but I've been needing to rely on others a bit for help. Here are some things that are helping. Offer to bring dinner sometimes so that the family gets a well balanced meal that didn't need to be made when mom gets home. I have my mom who comes once a week to clean our house so that my husband doesn't have to do it over the weekend when he's also got our 2 year old son and doing everything else. Also, maybe offering to help with the new baby when it's born. If the daughter who is injured is going to need physical therapy to help with recovery, offer to drive if you're able. Good luck!
Do they need things for the baby? Is it going to be a girl or boy? Maybe Mamasource moms (or Moms Club or MOPS - if you belong to those) would donate their gently used baby items! (Unfortunately, I just donated everything of mine up to age 3). Also, for the girl with the leg injury --The Dollar Store has a lot of crossword books, Sodoku, etc. to keep her busy. Or you could get movies from the Red Box $1 DVD rentals in Walgreens or the Albertson's convenient store. What about a double date night for the couple? You could treat them to a dinner out - forget their worries for the evening...celebrate friendship!
I know when I am in real times of stress, having someone take care of a dinner for my family can really make a huge difference in my day. I think the best gift would be the gift of your time. If you can see and recognize a real need that you can then answer without recompense, you are giving a gift that will truly have meaning. Perhaps the 19 year old could benefit from getting out of the house for a day (that might be a releif to both her and her parents!). Take her somewhere for a few hours. Perhaps their housework or yard work is piling up with all their stresses and worries and they might appreciate this small relief of a little help in these areas. It's even better if it's a surprise...just show up and start working on their yard. Or show up at their door with your cleaning stuff.
People are generally not willing to ask for help, even if it's offerred. But if you just show up one day and say "hey! we're here to give you a break!", I doubt it would be ill-recieved and much more meaningful than flowers.
The best thing that comes to mind is meal support. Cooking generally goes out the window in stressful situations, and there is nothing like receiving a homemade meal from friends. Maybe you could do once a week for a month (or more?).
Good for you!
Is there something you can do that would make it easier for them? We had some wonderful friends that were going through a hard time a few years ago and we bought them a ceiling fan for their bedroom - it was on the west side of the house and they couldn't afford it. We also got them a magazine subscription that we knew they would like. Also, he was a carpenter and we had him build us something. This was over a four year period. They are doing fine now, and we are still great friends. Good luck!
You are so sweet to think of your neighbors. It sounds like they have a multitude of needs and anything you do or give will be greatly appreciated.
An ongoing gift, like a meal every so often, or a gift card to use for their physical needs, sounds wonderful.
I just had surgery and have to stay off my foot for 5 weeks minumum. Our church ladies have been blessing us with meals every night for a week.... and let me tell you, this is a load off my mind since my husband is not a good cook. He is putting away the leftovers in the freezer for the next few weeks when he needs them.
What a blessing of a friend you are! God bless you!
