SUNSHINE AND RAINING CHILDREN

       One lone pre-release sat outside when I drove in this morning. His head was low, and it surely appeared that he was feeling down. It was that "older gentleman," the big guy with white hair. I called to him, "Would you like to help?" He would.

       We gathered up my four heavy bags and took them to the kitchen. Joey had just arrived, and the kitchen was still "cold"—no radio—the steel curtain into the dining room still closed. I had cooked the pasta from five boxes of Betty Crocker's Suddenly Salad, and was planning to cook more from the kitchen pantry and to add the mayo and flavor packets there at the shelter. That dish took the biggest bowl we had, and there was enough pasta salad for 40-some plates.

       Along with that I had taken a lot of colorful vegetables (tomato, yellow squash, cucumber, carrot, zucchini, black and green olives). Joey and I rolled up slices of ham, turkey, and cheese with toothpicks and olives for the entrée. I sprinkled croutons on the pasta salad, and those plates were so pretty. Too, we had some donated chicken wings which saved the day when the pasta ran low. Lunch was a happy time.

       There was also time enough for me to make 42 sandwiches toward the sack lunches. Brenda came in just as the serving of lunch ended—that girl has figured out the timing! She was all smiles, and chatty. Gosh, you don't supposed she was initially as intimidated by me as I was by her? Hmm.

       She has taken the paid position of GATE KEEPER, starting soon. She's such a reticent little thing—I can't imagine her tossing somebody out for drinking a beer… and that does happen. Still, I hope she does well with the position; she's excited about it. She'll continue volunteering in the kitchen, but will move that to another day.

       Mr. Huggy arrived dressed to the nines. He claims he doesn't feel well, but he looks a lot better than last week! Said his medication was too strong, so that's getting better now. I filled a take-out box for him.

       We had children today! The lady with the lap baby, 2-, 4-, and 5-year-olds was there with her whole crew. The 2-year-old and her mommy were there, and my 6-year-old was there with her parents. We had Beanie Babies to give out all around. I've never seen children so excited. I began the handing out with the 4 siblings, and their delight must have infected the others. Before long, all the children came to the serving counter to shout, "Thank you!"

       You have to be there to get the whole scene, beginning with the 5-year-old. I reached into my bag, "Do you have a frog?" I asked. "No!" he said excitedly. He loved it. Then I reached in again and came up with a spotted puppy for the 4-year-old. He was thrilled. Then I approached the 2-year-old, assuming he might not understand the little cow I had for him. "It's a cow," I said. "What does the cow say?"

       He grabbed it with both tiny fists and held it out, "MOO!"

       Well… forgive me if I take such pleasure in the children—but their joy is so genuine. The downside is that their pain is neither hidden. The 2-year-old girl still has not smiled. Today's her birthday and her mother was full of smiles, but the child… oh, sigh. At least the 6-year-old sang the birthday song to her… over and over.

       Several adults came to the counter to say thanks as well. They enjoyed their meal—and I personally had thought of it as rather bland, though pretty. Maybe it is all in the presentation…

       Vegan-heifer turned up her nose at the food, but took a plate anyway, asking for chicken wings as well. I knew she was giving those to her boy friend, but the meanie in me said, "But you're a vegetarian…"

       The lady who's allergic to wheat was offered a specially prepared wheat-free plate but declined, rolling her eyes as if she were doing us a favor, saying, "I'll try the pasta."

       There's a new fellow among the homeless—young man, well spoken. Says he's a chef and that lunch impressed him. If we ever need any help in the kitchen, he's available… he has ideas for menus, but we just don't have calamari…

       Oh, and that huge pot of fresh squash that was cooking when I left last week? It was cooked perfectly, and they ran out!

       When I left today, Joey had all the high chairs and booster seats out on the back porch, scrubbing them down. They needed it! We put our heads together long enough to figure out next week's menu: Spanish rice, fried chicken strips with tomato/lettuce on buns, and apple/carrot/raisin salad. Joey thought of that. I'll be making it on Saturday. Remind me to get some BABY FOOD!