Once we went out to breakfast at our local fave. Nothing special, and nothing in particular happened at breakfast, but when we tried to pay the waitress said a nearby table (an elderly man and his friend) had taken care of the bill already. It was lovely and so unexpected. It made me think of Ramona Quimby, Age 8, where Ramona is worried about her parents' financial situation and when they go out to dinner at the end of the book, a man takes care of the bill for them. Humans are really lovely sometimes.
When my family all got COVID (mid-pandemic) a team of friends, (near and far) arranged for dinner to be delivered most nights while we hunkered down for the week. I paid it forward whenever I heard of another family in the same circumstances.
When my second kid was born, I got three months paid maternity leave. It was a hard adjustment period going from one kid to two! The evening before I started back to work, my neighbor friend texted me and told me to open my kitchen door. I looked out the window and saw her and her husband carrying bags, foil trays, and containers. She had prepared me an entire week of family dinners for my first week back to work. 😭😭😭
So many dinner fairies showed up when I had my son and when my dad died. The most surprising example was when our former neighbor used to text, “you guys want some [x], we have extra” just as I was trying to sort out what was for dinner. He once sent a taco bar in little containers for us to make our own.
I’m more of a breakfast/treats fairy. Or a DoorDash giftcard fairy.
fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I still had two kids at home - middle and high school age. One of my friends created a Helping Hands page and we had homemade meals delivered Mon/Wed\Fri with a big cooler full of fruits and veggies on Saturday for ONE YEAR! I'm not kidding. The generosity of my friends while I was going through treatment was simply astounding. I'm still part of that community and have tried to pay it forward as often as I can.
I love this idea of the Dinner Fairy! Years and years ago I was in Rome with my roommate and having pizza in Trastevere. It wasn't a particularly fancy or expensive place, but we were clearly living our best student lives. We chatted with the couple next to us for a bit and didn't think much of it, but when we went to pay the bill we were told they'd picked up our tab. I'll never forget that.
In January I contracted the flu, just as my father in law moved into a rehab facility. Four different friends, four different soups. Nova, Anne, Kathleen and Caroline, I will not forget this. (Nova got the flu last week and I already reciprocated) I love having friends who cook.
I live in Western Australia. Last November, I had unexpected serious spinal surgery. Just a few days home from hospital, my American friend who lives up the street and lives in Australia 6 months of the year, delivered an entire hot Thanksgiving dinner complete with dessert. How wonderful is that!
I really enjoy your Substack :) Your sister was my first 'mom' friend in Larchmont. She was WAAAY cooler and better adjusted that I was ha. I was totally neurotic! Actually, probably still am but she seemed to like me anyway:) I've read and re-read your pro/con about moving to the city (my family left Larchmont and moved to NJ when your niece A - and my son -were about 3 yo). Now, an empty nester and widow, I am selling my house in the burbs and think I may be moving back to NYC. Give L a big hug from me! xx
One of my best friends was dining out with her husband and spotted my teenage daughter and her three friends at the same restaurant. Going out to a sit-down restaurant was such a splurge for those high school kids and when they went to pay, my friend had paid their check. It was so special for my daughter and her friends that they still talk about it. We've paid it forward and done the same when we've seen kids of friends out and about. It may be a small gesture to you, but to someone else...it is a BIG deal that they will remember forever.
In my life the dinner fairy has usually been in the form of casseroles or a dinner train but storage can become tough- I love the order ahead door dash idea- how sweet and easier to travel with!
Just here to say thank you and I love this.
Once we went out to breakfast at our local fave. Nothing special, and nothing in particular happened at breakfast, but when we tried to pay the waitress said a nearby table (an elderly man and his friend) had taken care of the bill already. It was lovely and so unexpected. It made me think of Ramona Quimby, Age 8, where Ramona is worried about her parents' financial situation and when they go out to dinner at the end of the book, a man takes care of the bill for them. Humans are really lovely sometimes.
This newsletter continues to be a warm hug and OMG those pretzel nibs from last week...highly addictive!
When my family all got COVID (mid-pandemic) a team of friends, (near and far) arranged for dinner to be delivered most nights while we hunkered down for the week. I paid it forward whenever I heard of another family in the same circumstances.
When my second kid was born, I got three months paid maternity leave. It was a hard adjustment period going from one kid to two! The evening before I started back to work, my neighbor friend texted me and told me to open my kitchen door. I looked out the window and saw her and her husband carrying bags, foil trays, and containers. She had prepared me an entire week of family dinners for my first week back to work. 😭😭😭
So many dinner fairies showed up when I had my son and when my dad died. The most surprising example was when our former neighbor used to text, “you guys want some [x], we have extra” just as I was trying to sort out what was for dinner. He once sent a taco bar in little containers for us to make our own.
I’m more of a breakfast/treats fairy. Or a DoorDash giftcard fairy.
Love that. The specificity is key. Makes it easy to say yes.
fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I still had two kids at home - middle and high school age. One of my friends created a Helping Hands page and we had homemade meals delivered Mon/Wed\Fri with a big cooler full of fruits and veggies on Saturday for ONE YEAR! I'm not kidding. The generosity of my friends while I was going through treatment was simply astounding. I'm still part of that community and have tried to pay it forward as often as I can.
Amazing
Nigellas Chocolate Cloud Cake is really delicious. I used to often make it for a gluten free friend.
I love this idea of the Dinner Fairy! Years and years ago I was in Rome with my roommate and having pizza in Trastevere. It wasn't a particularly fancy or expensive place, but we were clearly living our best student lives. We chatted with the couple next to us for a bit and didn't think much of it, but when we went to pay the bill we were told they'd picked up our tab. I'll never forget that.
In January I contracted the flu, just as my father in law moved into a rehab facility. Four different friends, four different soups. Nova, Anne, Kathleen and Caroline, I will not forget this. (Nova got the flu last week and I already reciprocated) I love having friends who cook.
I live in Western Australia. Last November, I had unexpected serious spinal surgery. Just a few days home from hospital, my American friend who lives up the street and lives in Australia 6 months of the year, delivered an entire hot Thanksgiving dinner complete with dessert. How wonderful is that!
So wonderful!
I really enjoy your Substack :) Your sister was my first 'mom' friend in Larchmont. She was WAAAY cooler and better adjusted that I was ha. I was totally neurotic! Actually, probably still am but she seemed to like me anyway:) I've read and re-read your pro/con about moving to the city (my family left Larchmont and moved to NJ when your niece A - and my son -were about 3 yo). Now, an empty nester and widow, I am selling my house in the burbs and think I may be moving back to NYC. Give L a big hug from me! xx
Let me know if you need more advice on that move. Happy to help! And Lynn says hi. ♥️
I will take you up on that, thx.
One of my best friends was dining out with her husband and spotted my teenage daughter and her three friends at the same restaurant. Going out to a sit-down restaurant was such a splurge for those high school kids and when they went to pay, my friend had paid their check. It was so special for my daughter and her friends that they still talk about it. We've paid it forward and done the same when we've seen kids of friends out and about. It may be a small gesture to you, but to someone else...it is a BIG deal that they will remember forever.
In my life the dinner fairy has usually been in the form of casseroles or a dinner train but storage can become tough- I love the order ahead door dash idea- how sweet and easier to travel with!
Empty-nester-fairy goals, for sure!
I needed emergency abdominal surgery in 2006: I still remember the kind friends and colleagues who fed my family in the aftermath. A priceless gift.