America Deserves A Raise

Never stopping, always on the go is Darlene. Paid for only a few hours a week, she packs those hours with everything she has.

I live in an apartment building for senior citizens and disabled persons. Darlene’s husband, Henry, is our maintenance man. Together they treat our building as their own having concern for everyone who lives here and pride in what they do. They put in their time and always answer a call for help. They have been married 52 years.

Outside of those few paid hours, Darlene returns to plant flowers, call bingo, and set up special meals and events. However, that’s not all! Darlene volunteers for several other organizations. You may see her helping at the senior center, boxing items at the food center, and mowing lawns for elderly neighbors, or visiting friends in the nursing home. Darlene cleans homes, babysits handicapped adults, transports people to doctor’s appointments, and plants flowers at the church her mother attended.

All this is in addition to keeping a beautiful home and a landscaped yard that magazine covers would appreciate. And just in case she doesn’t get enough exercise from these activities, Darlene walks four miles a day.

When thinking about Darlene, James 1:2-4 comes to mind. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

Darlene considers everything she does pure joy. Even though she may be facing trials of many kinds involving friends and family, her perseverance and faith gives her strength to finish the work. Her great love of people, eagerness to help, and concern for others shows in everything she does. She continuously thinks ahead, planning special events and accumulating party favors, gifts, and ornaments.

In 2009, Darlene took on the monumental task of creating a float for our local parade to represent our apartment complex. Her beautiful float with dedication to detail in ornament and costumes took first place.

When having a lunch or dinner for the tenants, Darlene sets up tables and chairs, spreads tablecloths, prepares place settings, and embellishes with flowers, centerpieces, and festive decorations. As people arrive, Darlene sees to each person, pouring drinks and serving food. Afterwards, she cleans everything up, does dishes, folds tablecloths, stacks chairs, and puts away tables. She accomplishes all this on her own time.

Darlene’s non-stop energy and devotion is impressive. Even more so is the fact that she retired from Hallmark Cards with 30 years of service many years ago and does all these things at the age of 71.