Warm your heart here

You don't have to work for a charity for delivering food to the elderly or disabled to see its benefits. This isn't my story - you can find the original on the Rome police Facebook page , and all plaudits to the "Flying Squad" (Volante) members who took this call. (I do take full responsibility for any mistake in translation).

It is a sultry summer in Rome. Jole is home, as every night for far too long. The news pours in casually – attacks, children abused in a kindergarten ... Jole wonders why so much evil ... but the TV keeps her company ... even on a solitary evening spent with Michele. Yes, Michele, 94, has been her man for almost seventy years. She, in the springtime of life at 89, would have to remember to tell … but tell whom?

No one ever goes to see them ... life is not always easy, especially when the city empties and the neighbours are away on holiday. Sometimes loneliness overcomes her – it’s it's like a summer storm, sudden and overwhelming.

Jole and Michele love each other. But loneliness can be such a burden on the heart, they can easily lose hope. Occasionally, as this time, they cry out aloud in their despair, so loud that eventually, someone calls the police.

There is no crime. Jole and Michele are not victims of a scam, as so often happen to the elderly, and no thief entered their house. There is no one to save.

This time, for the Flying squad there is a more arduous task. There are two lonely souls needing reassurance.

Once inside the apartment, they are told of a long life together. But they are also told about the desolation which brought the police there. There is evidence – a paltry stalk, from which hang three shrivelled grapes, on the kitchen table, tells of a fast that has lasted for too long.

The police are moved, compassionate; they understand that this time is different: no forms to fill in; no codes needed. Just men, dedicated …

While waiting for the ambulance to check the couple's health, it dawns on them that just a little human warmth could help restore Jole and Michele’s composure. They get permission to access the pantry and improvise … a little pasta with cheese and butter … nothing special except one precious ingredient: their humanity. Andrea (kitchen duty) and Alessandro, Ernesto and Mirko entertain two new friends. Duty, this evening, is a family dinner!

If you'd like to help us do this type of work here in the heart of Ireland, click on the DONATE button and leave a small donation - we deliver meals to the less fortunate and able, and provide a regular visit.