To the Friend Who Bought Me Groceries After I Was Diagnosed With Lyme Disease

Thank you.

We were about to hang out one afternoon when you said something like, “Here. Just a couple of things to store in your fridge.”

To be honest, it was so kind that I was genuinely confused. I thought maybe you had been shopping before we were due to hang out, lost track of time, didn’t have time to drop by your house on the way back and would be taking the groceries back with you after our hang time.

But then you didn’t.

The groceries were still there sitting in my parents’ fridge, so I took a look. It was packed full of veggies, fruits and whole food vitamins.

It was just what I wanted — just what I needed. It was just what I would have bought for myself if my substitute teaching money wasn’t going straight to my health insurance bill.

I wanted to make my thank you just as meaningful, so I got a card and walked over to your house the next day to give it to you, but you didn’t answer. I went the day after that, and you didn’t answer again.

Finally, I heard from you, and you were angry — angry I didn’t say thank you immediately.

I just want to say I’m not mad. I understand. It was thoughtful, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

We haven’t really spoken since then, but I want you to know that what you did made a difference in my health and life.

I had never tried whole food vitamins before and those things made a world of difference in restoring my energy.

I was able to continue working hard without feeling like I was going one step forward and two steps back. Eventually I got a full-time job with benefits and was able to make purchases like the one you did for me regularly.

My health has blossomed since then. I even paid it forward by making small health purchases for family and friends.

I’m not perfect. If we ever see each other again, I hope you recognize the growth in me and the gratitude.