Miss Rosemary

Once a week, Gabby makes it a priority to shut off her laptop and go visit with Miss Rosemary, a six-year Meals on Wheels client. During their hour and a half together, they often talk about the news and Miss Rosemary's health or play Old Maid. Sometimes the pair engage in marathon sessions of Jenga. Gabby says her visits with Miss Rosemary, who’s in her 80s, are like an injection of vitamins and give her some much-needed engagement since she works from home. Plus, Miss Rosemary is teaching Gabby to age gracefully.

“I don’t have company that much. She [Gabby] started coming and I enjoy it,” Miss Rosemary says.

The visits also fill a void in Gabby’s life since she often doesn’t see her own mother, who is in a nursing home many miles away.

“I love the idea of just being able to sit and connect with someone. Just touching them on their hand and acknowledging them is so important,” she says. “Visiting with Miss Rosemary helps me to reset and brings me back to reality (after working in a bubble all day). I get to hear her stories and learn what she experienced in life.”

Gabby is one of the many Friendly Visitor volunteers at Meals on Wheels San Antonio, a program offered to prevent loneliness and social isolation. Friendly Visitors spend at least one hour a week doing things such as playing games, taking a walk or chatting over coffee or tea.

You can extend your support for Meals on Wheels San Antonio through a planned gift. To learn more, contact Vinsen Faris at 210-735-5115 or VinsenF@mowsatx.org.