Sweet Sundays

Rena Schwartz, an eighth grader at The Robert M. Beren Academy, visits Nora’s Home each week to bake muffins. (Photo: Eric Kleiman Photography)

When I think about Nora’s Home, I think of the little girl that I never met but heard so much about, Nora. It hurt her to think that anyone would not have food, shelter or a family. She would insist on turning the car around so she could give away her own money to the person who didn’t have any. Unfortunately Nora died in a car accident.

Nora’s Home was built in her honor and is a reflection of her personality. It is a home for those who come to Houston and need transplants. Everybody who has stayed there knows how awesome it is.

Every Sunday I go to Nora’s Home with a group of friends – Aaron Ayach, Nava Rotenberg, Eden Lagnado and Sascha Ayach – to bake muffins. I have been doing this for almost two years. When we are baking, the residents always greet us. There used to be a man who would greet us in the kitchen and talk to us the whole time as we baked; then he would finish up the meal he prepared and bring it to his wife. The whole time, none of us knew his name. He used to call us “little angels.”

I remember another Nora’s Home resident, Wally. He was a curious little boy who loved to help. He was getting a heart transplant; he was only 7 years old. Once we let a batch of muffins go too far in the oven and we were trying to think of a way to get it. He grabbed a long utensil and put an oven mitt on top of it. He was very smart; I was sad when he left to go home.

Whenever somebody leaves Nora’s Home because they are better, I have mixed feelings. I am sad because they have left, but happy for them and excited for whoever is coming next. The past few weeks have been interesting because there are so many people coming and going. I keep thinking about the addition that they are making. Nora’s Home is very important to me. It has made me excited for doing more community service in the future.

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