The best-kept secret in the world is how many good people there are!
by Sr. Michael Teresa
Joe Cali from C & C Produce gave the Little Sisters 6 tickets to bring the Residents to a Kansas City Chief’s football game. We decided upon Sunday, November 3 for the game against the Minnesota Vikings. It was a beautiful fall day with sunny skies. We took one Resident from each unit in the Home: Margaret – 3rd floor, Ann – 2nd floor, Leticia -1st floor, and Jean – apartment. Everyone was ready to go at 9 a.m. even though we are only 5.8 miles from the stadium. Kick-off was at Noon.
When we got close to the stadium the traffic was already congested. We had a gold parking pass, but the handicapped spots were already taken so we started looking further away. As we started down the aisle Sr. Paul had her window down.
“Can we help you, Sister?” asked a man passing by.
“Help me park this car,” Sr. Paul said.
“There is a spot right there,” the man said pointing.
Sister looked at it as if to say “I don’t think I can do this.”
Right away the man asked if he could park the car for her. Another man helped him in the back since he backed it in for her so it would be easier later. The second man saw the chairs in the trunk so they took everything out.
After the more ambulatory Residents got out we proceeded to take Margaret out. She was having a hard time. A woman came from behind. ”Do you need help? I am a nurse.” She transferred Margaret to the chair.
As we made our way to the stadium, Jean recognized a lady and called out to her. The woman put it on social media that she was there. Her grandchildren who were at the game walked around the stadium until they found her!
As we were proceeding to the ticket gate for the handicapped, everyone made room for us. Once we got to the lower level we had to go from section 133, midfield, to 108, end zone. Everyone helped others to make sure they didn’t back into us or enter our path.
After the game began Margaret said her hands were cold so Sr. Pauline gave her gloves to Margaret. Later in the game Sister’s hands were cold. Someone heard her say it so he went and got her two hand warmers. The guys directly in front of us were Chief fans. They made sure they turned to us whenever something big happened on the field. There was a large group of Viking fans in front of them so you were never sure which team the cheering was for. Joe came to us during halftime so he could meet the Residents.
After the game, a man appeared wearing a wheelchair assistance t-shirt. He had an empty chair with him. He asked Sr. Pauline to take it from him while he pushed one of the Residents. As we moved along someone asked her to get in the chair and pushed her to our car. A Viking fan asked if he could push Margaret for Sr. Michael Teresa.
Everyone was wonderful. The spirit was the best I’ve ever seen. After we found our car, which took a while, the guys put Margaret into the car as well as all the wheelchairs. We followed the traffic and made it home. At every step of the way, our Lord provided someone to help us, our guardian angels!
Chief’s game