Volunteering Helped Me Heal on Mother’s Day

When my mother called a week before Mother’s Day and asked how I wanted to celebrate, my mind came up blank. We had recently lost our dog of 15 plus years, and I was having trouble processing the grief. Duffy was a tiny, white and grey Havanese with a huge presence. My house felt empty and lonely without her big brown eyes and the most adorable pink tongue hanging out of her toothless mouth. I didn’t feel like celebrating anything, instead wanting to crawl beneath a blanket and binge bad reality TV. But I also didn’t want to bail on Mother’s Day. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my own mother without plans.

After an activity brainstorm, only one option piqued my interest. LifeTown was hosting an Open Shoppes Experience on Mother’s Day morning. I had always wanted to volunteer at the LifeTown Shoppes, helping kids with special needs navigate their way through the one-of-a-kind simulated city. While volunteering was a way to give back to the community, it also appealed to me as an outlet to focus on something positive and uplifting instead of my own confusing grief.

When I pitched the idea to my mother, she agreed, eager to put her social work background to good use. Our Mother’s Day plan was solidified and we couldn’t wait to get started.

On May 10, I felt instantly at ease when we arrived at LifeTown. After climbing musical stairs that played different notes with each step, we were greeted by the friendly staff and our fellow volunteers with smiles and hugs. The Shoppes were expecting over 300 guests for Mother’s Day. We took a quick tour, checking out the movie theater, Words Bookstore, ShopRite, Linda’s Nail Salon, Team Gear, and the Pet Shoppe. The facility was an unbelievable sight, offering opportunities for learning and connecting around every corner.

My mother and I were assigned to Ahuva’s Art and we quickly became acclimated. A more seasoned volunteer showed us the ropes, gesturing at colorful tubes of dot paint waiting to be held by tiny hands. Every child that entered the Shoppe would create a painting on canvas by coloring over a variety of adorable stencils. Each painting cost one dollar, a way to teach young children how to navigate a real store by paying for an item and asking for change.

My mother and I donned smocks and prepared for the influx of shoppers. It occurred to me that for the first time in days, I hadn’t thought about Duffy. I was purely in the moment, and the moment was a joyful one.

As children poured into the Shoppes, we were busy greeting everyone, taking money from excited customers, and setting up different stations for the budding artists. So many families had chosen LifeTown to celebrate their mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. It was inspiring to witness how impactful the day was on each family member. Children beamed as they created their own works of art, but parents also looked on in awe, experiencing the Shoppes through the eyes of their children.

As the morning wound down and the Shoppes cleared out, I felt a sense of achievement and pride. I had been a part of a very special Mother’s Day for so many families, including my own. So much love and wonder filled the air, as children experienced a world designed just for them. My mother and I gazed around LifeTown completely awestruck by all we had accomplished and grateful for our own morning of bonding.

While volunteering didn’t erase the pain of losing our beloved Duffy, it reminded me of all the good and light in this world. Eventually my sadness would lift and be replaced by all the beautiful memories of our joyful little puppy.

As my mother and I drove to our lunch plans, we gushed about our experience at LifeTown, a truly special place that benefits not only the guests, but all the volunteers, leaving everyone just a little bit lighter and their hearts just a little bit fuller.

If you are interested in volunteering at LifeTown, visit www.LifeTown.com/volunteer.