You are gLOVED
- Lori Egbers
- Dec 12, 2020
- 2 min read
2020 is really challenging and teaching me to see the best in people even (and especially) when they’re at their lowest. Including myself. Of course, it’s not a one and done lesson learned…
A couple days ago it was abnormally and wonderfully warm in Minnesota. I went for a run and got too hot wearing my gloves and neck buff. Usually I would just take them off and carry them, but my plan was to do an out-and-back, so I figured I could just drop them near a park bench and pick up on the way back. As I was setting them down, I had a feeling I might not see them again…
Sure enough, the black gloves were gone when I got back. They weren’t designer fashion, but they weren’t throwaways either. At first, I was surprised and a little annoyed. It had only been 30 minutes! Then again, hadn’t I anticipated this? I prayed that whomever grabbed them would get good use out of them. (The colorful buff was still there. Perhaps a little too sweaty?)
The next day I went out running again this time choosing not to wear gloves (two days in a row above 45!) Mid-run I thought, hmm… my hands are a little cold. So I got to thinking about those gloves again. And how I was thankful they were there for someone when they needed them.
Sometimes it’s hard for people who need help to actually seek assistance. This can be true for all needs: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. In this case, I know there are places folks can get free or affordable winter gear. And I know there are amazing food shelters, but maybe it’s hard for some people to: 1) admit they need it 2) know where to go 3) actually get there. So, that sparked an idea: you are gLOVED.
A few years ago I saw a FB post where people would hang up hats and gloves in parks. I don’t remember all the details, but I still have a clear mental visual of the gloves hanging on a fence. We decided to do a variation of it. The kids and I washed up extra gloves and buffs in our house, made heart notes, and printed off food shelf flyers. My husband went and bought some granola bars, and we created little care packs.
Yesterday we distributed them in two of our biggest local parks. The food shelf event is happening today (although they host them routinely), so we’re hoping these get into the hands of some folks that can make use out of it. Included in care pack:
• Gloves • Buff • 2 granola bars • Food shelf flyer • Handmade note
We’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Our plan is to return to these same sites in a couple days to see if they were used. We’ll pick them up if they were not and redistribute them as needed. A bit of an experiment. Please join us if you feel inspired!
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