Recently I had an email notice that the office for hearing aids was closed because of the hurricane. Lise surprised me by sending a note that it would be open for anyone today for a free cleaning. I was very glad I listened to her and drove to Waynesville for the first time since the storm. A teenager greeted me, asked what I was there for, and told me to put the hearing aids in a plastic cup. He took it to the back of the office, and then a woman came from there to the waiting room. I explained that I had gotten word from Europe to come, that my daughter lives in Denmark and had seen the offer on line. She was amazed that I hadn’t seen it myself, but had gotten word from across the ocean. I was surprised that the office was empty. I thought there would be lots of people there, especially since it was open to anyone with hearing aids, not just their customers. They even offered to replace batteries free!

A few minutes later she came back and asked if she could take my photo. The woman who was going to clean the aids posed with me. After the cleaning, they handed me a bag with supplies – clear plastic domes and tiny gizmos that keep earwax from harming the electronics. That would normally have cost me real money, but they gave it to me as part of their service! After I ate a donut they offered, I chatted with them a bit more. The receptionist lives in this area and couldn’t get to the office where she normally works in Asheville. She wanted to help people who had been through the hurricane and hit on the idea of free cleanings. I said it was marvelous that she found something to use her expertise. I said I was a musician and couldn’t think of a way to help. And what was my area? I said a retired church organist, and I don’t carry an organ around with me. We laughed.

Before I left, I asked to take their photo. I read their body language that declared they were mother and son. They were delightful. The woman said she was going to see if they could go to a nursing home to offer their services. Surely they would have takers there! As I was leaving, a man came in. I hope he was there for a cleaning. Such a generous offer should have had more takers.