Sharing Friendship, Family and Food Once a Month at Clare Housing — October 17, 2014
We really didn’t even know where to begin. It was the Winter of 2011, and our family felt the urge to get involved. Was there a place where we could experience community, make new friends, stretch beyond our comfort zone and challenge our world view, have fun laughing and just being ourselves (and, where skill, talent and experience were not a requirement)?
Somehow, our internet search led us to Clare Housing, and Debbie Wyman. From the first conversation, we knew that we had found a great place to serve and to be served. For three and a half years, the Kramers – Olivia (18), Sophia (15), Penny (young at heart) and Scott (old) – have spent the second Saturday of each month sharing a meal, first at Clare House and now at Agape Home. Olivia describes her experience:
“On the front door steps, a lean man dressed in a robe reaches out arms waiting for my hug. I greet Dylan with an open embrace and a delighted smile, ready to carry on a conversation. This encounter is reenacted every second Saturday of the month. My family and I serve dinner to a group of people living together with the same condition – HIV/AIDS.”
“The house where we gather is known as the Clare House, and Dylan is one of the occupants. At dinner, a resident named Dayjane will fight in sport with my mom about the pronunciation of her name, while my dad speaks to Dylan about his life story, and my sister attempt to talk to the caregiver, or Tom, or whoever else will listen over all of the commotion.”
“We learn of the residents’ backgrounds, what movies they like, and what food they want us to make next Saturday. Overall, the experiences at the Clare House are emotional, memorable, and full of laughter. Each month I realize how blessed I am to be raised with loving parents, and with no illnesses or hardships.”
“This group of adults has truly impacted me because I have gained more desire to serve. Even though the members of the Clare House know they are need of constant care, they are always so excited to see my family, which makes me never want to miss this time of sharing simple meal together.”
God surely smiles favorably on the workings of Clare Housing. There are blessings to be enjoyed alongside the struggles and challenges borne by the residents. We are called to share life and love one another, and that includes the staff, the residents, and the volunteers. It has been a privilege for us to spend an evening once a month with the residents and caregivers, whom we can call our friends.
The Kramer household includes Scott, Penny, Olivia and Sophia. Olivia is 18 years old, and just started her freshman year at the University of Miami, Florida, where she is studying Architecture. Sophia is a Sophomore at Mahtomedi High School, and plays on the Volleyball team, but her real passion is baking. Penny is a substitute teacher, but recently started taking classes at Century College to obtain a certificate as an IT Help Desk associate. Scott is a VP of Finance for WuXi AppTec, a testing lab in the life science industry. We are not native Minnesotans, but have lived in the state for the past 10 years.