People often joke that they could use a fairy godmother in their lives, but real-life does not always serve up the bibbidi bobbidi boo. Thankfully, I have already been blessed with an amazing real-life godmother, Rosemary Saber.

I remember with fondness the story she told me of how she snuck beer in a Dunkin Donuts cup into my uncle’s hospital room. He had been on hospice at the time, a dying man with a simple wish, but the nurses refused him the indulgence. Rarely one to skirt the rules, Rosemary knew the right thing to do in this situation was to give him a moment’s happiness when there were so few moments left. It is only one example of her kind and generous heart.

As director of both the Dartmouth and then the New Bedford library systems in Massachusetts, Rosemary has always remained active in her community. Even in retirement, she stayed on part-time to work in the children’s reading room in the Wareham library branch.

Given her position, it is not surprising that she met people from all walks of life. Instead of sitting back, she took the time to get to know those who crossed her path and accepted them for their differences. She embraced everyone and still does. If only more people could treat others with such dignity and respect.

Rosemary continues her good deeds as a board member of The Association for the Relief of Aged Women. The non-profit organization was founded in 1866 by philanthropist Rachel Howland and offers not only financial but also social assistance to senior women in need.

Many women find themselves alone later in life. Whether they have outlived a spouse, are divorced, were never married, or are apart from family members, there are few resources to support them in everyday life. The Association for the Relief of Aged Women aims to decrease that burden by helping them pay for life’s essentials. Although services provided by the organization vary depending on a woman’s need, they have provided assistance with car repairs, insurance premiums, medical alert buttons, and even subsidy housing payments. Let’s not forget that many people cannot afford high-priced items like dentures and hearing aids that Medicare doesn’t cover.

The organization is more than a source of funding for these women. It is also a social support network. With the motto “Not Alms Alone, But a Friend”, they show that they really do care. Board members and volunteers visit every woman on their roster at least once a year and may even pay for social daycare to keep the women engaged and involved. This is not one-time assistance. The Association for the Relief of Aged Women is there for these women as long as they are needed.

The organization, initially based in New Bedford, has since expanded to five communities — Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford, and Westport. Working in concert with the Council on Aging in each city/town, they seek out women who could benefit from their services.

We may not need a fairy godmother in our lives, but we do need people with kind hearts. We need people who are not afraid to do the right thing, people who are willing to reach out a helping hand. Like Rosemary, we need to be those people.

Rosemary Saber is an exemplary woman. She remains engaged in her community and touches the lives of everyone around her, more than she realizes. I know that she made a big difference for me growing up. I look to her as a role model and she has encouraged me to be my best self.

Helping others does not require a magic wand, no bibbidi bobbidi boo required. All it takes is your time and attention. You do not have to commit hours of time and you don’t need to hand out wads of money. A simple gesture, a sincere smile, a thoughtful word, it can affect the life of another person in an instant. When we support each other, when we lift each other up in times of need, we can make a world of difference. That is where the real magic happens.

Association for the Relief of Aged Women of New Bedford. https://www.arawofnb.org/

Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the South Coast. The New Bedford Whaling Museum. https://www.whalingmuseum.org/exhibition/shaping-the-southcoast-women-of-lighting-the-way/