The Ever-changing Nature of Mondays

This past Monday started with our routine: staff check-in, meals on low in the oven, and wagons and bins packed for the day. This week we were excited to welcome our two interns who are from Germany and will be helping at The Dale for the next few months. It was lovely to have their help all day. From the start they were able to help us transport all of our supplies to our drop-in, set up all the tables, and spend time getting to know the community. 

From 11am until 1pm, we have a good amount of time to chat over coffee before lunch is served. This week a friend brought an abundance of fancy chocolate that the whole drop-in enjoyed during our coffee time. Looking around the room I saw folks arrive and make their coffee how they like it. I noticed friends sitting together and catching up on the latest. Some were sitting in their usual seats, while others would hop from table to table visiting everyone. Those who love to help organized forks and napkins neatly in front of each chair. I really enjoy the vibe of this space and the routine that has come so naturally. 

After lunch was served, some took it to-go and some stayed to eat together. At this moment I always feel like the whole room shifts and re-settles. Today we ate pork and beef meals from Second Harvest. I picked up a beef fried rice meal and joined a table I haven’t sat with in a while. Most of the group at the table spoke Polish to one another except for the lady who sat across from me. She also didn’t speak Polish, so it was nice to have each other to talk to. She told me about her life in Parkdale and how special the neighbourhood was to her. 

Then I turned around and saw a circle of chairs being put together. A community member who often serves food with us wanted to lead a session of chair aerobics. More and more people got word on what was happening and the circle grew until it was more than a dozen ladies! This was the biggest group that had ever participated in any aerobics circles we’ve done before, and it was so great to see the laughter and joy that this activity brought to the room. Our friend who led the group kept us on our toes and guided the group in such an intentional way by including each person. 

Before we knew it, it was time to go! Many helping hands made for a quick clean up. Some folks even have a routine clean up task that they do every week and stick around until the end just to help. 

There are so many special little moments that take place on Mondays that really warm my heart. No day at The Dale is ever exactly alike. A “typical” Monday comes with so many new and unpredictable moments, sweet conversations, and little blessings. I wouldn’t change a thing.