Peeling Oranges - Part 2
A quick review of Part 1:
A new TikTok trend called the “Orange Peel Theory” is centered around the idea that small deeds of service indicate a partner’s commitment to their significant other. These small gestures, like peeling an orange for someone, is “the acknowledgement and the feeling of being taken care of and cherished.” What would this look like if we applied this to others in our life?
Part 2 - The oranges I peeled, and the oranges that were peeled for us.
Day 3 of 77. I needed help, new meds needed to be picked up, and I needed to run some errands in Sunriver. I sent an email to six Foundry friends. They peeled oranges for me. One of them picked up the meds and brought them to our house and sat with Dorene while I was gone. The others called to make sure I had been taken care of.
Day 4 of 77. I kept track of my day and forwarded my orange peels to my friend who had challenged me to be a servant to my wife. Following is a copy of that email.
THE CHALLENGE: To be a servant to my wife.
Isaiah 65:14 - Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Woke up late at 6:00am.
Made my coffee (my only hour of free time).
Made Dorene's coffee at 7:00am.
Made Dorene's breakfast.
Made my breakfast. Gave Dorene one piece of my bacon (the ultimate sacrifice).
Vacuum packed 11 meals of smoked chuck roast for future meals.
Gave Dorene her medication for mild pain (every 6 hours). Dorene assures me (emphatically) that her pain is not mild.
Logged Dorene's medications with time and date (every 6 hours).
Mopped the kitchen floor.
Did the laundry.
Filled up the bird feeders (Dorene's job).
Made Dorene's lunch, peanut butter and apple sandwich (made her sandwich on the wrong bread).
Made my lunch, smoked chuck roast sandwich (no complaints).
Picked up the house (company coming).
Researched how to roast a mayo-basted turkey for Thanksgiving.
Watched football with Dorene.
Helped Dorene into bed, arranged covers and pillows to support her leg (3 times).
Watched football without Dorene.
Made our dinner.
Unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher (forgot to turn it on).
Watched more football with Dorene.
Set my alarm for 9:00pm and 3:00am for Dorene’s pain meds.
Put laundry away (did not know where Dorene's clothes went, had to ask).
Applied eye drops to my eyes (too much TV football).
Scolded Dorene for driving her leg scooter too fast in the hallways.
Helped Dorene to bed.
Applied for my RN certificate.
Dragged my sorry self to bed.
Daily we began to see oranges peeled for us. It was not safe to leave Dorene alone. If she fell and put weight on her foot, the operation would have to be repeated, and our 11-week journey would start over. I did not feel comfortable working in the yard, my woodshop, or going to the store. We developed a schedule, and calls went out for help.
Dorene has been part of a local “Grandma’s prayer group” for many years. We asked them to help. They changed the location of their meeting to our house. This would allow Dorene to attend. It also gave me 3-4 hours each week to do what I needed to do. Some of those ladies acted as her “Senior Sitter” while I took care of business. Others volunteered to sit while I went to Bend. We had neighbors help out when I had to attend several new appointments. One neighbor even made bran muffins for Dorene.
Foundry Church reached out with calls, prayers, and volunteering their time. I received numerous calls asking how I was doing. The orange peels were piling up. One of our Foundry friends sent emails every day, “I am praying for both of you.” Another said she would bring Dorene home after the Women’s Bunch. Dorene received many get-well cards. One couple dove down just to visit. Others continued to ask if they could help.
I cannot end this article without challenging you, as my friend challenged me. Be a servant to others and “shout joyfully with a glad heart.” You will be blessed. A simple phone call, maybe volunteering to pet sit, or light house cleaning for someone. The list is endless.
When I opened Part 1 before equating orange peeling to service, I said, “Nutrition experts advise that we should have two to five servings of fruit per day.” Can we peel an orange for someone two to five time a month, or a week? It will unquestionably add to our spiritual growth.
Thank you all for peeling oranges for us. We have been genuinely blessed.
Don and Dorene Foster