To Inspire:

Farmer Rudy Neish, 77, suddenly found himself in an unfamiliar position – caretaker and cook. His wife, Linda, handled all the cooking until her health started to decline. Fortunately, a neighbor who loves to cook has stepped in to help.

Rudy and Linda have been married for 26 years. Rudy told The Today Show, “She has dementia, and she’s had both hips replaced.” He said, “I’m a full-time caregiver now, as opposed to being a farmer. I’m kind of a part-time, sometimes farmer, so my full-time job really is taking care of her.”

With no real cooking experience, Rudy was just heating up processed food in the microwave for all their meals. Enter Rudy’s neighbor, 38-year-old Tyler Butterworth. Tyler lives close to Rudy and Linda, on a family farm with two houses for his family and his parents. The two have helped each other out over the years. Now Rudy told Tyler he wanted to make healthier meals for Linda and asked the younger man to attend a cooking class with him.

Tyler Butterworth is well known online. He has more than five million followers on social media where he posts humorous videos on life with his wife and kids, the farm, and his military and law enforcement service. Tyler told Rudy he wanted to teach him how to cook. They would record their cooking lessons to post online.

Tyler first posted about his neighbor’s request in late February. “My 77-year-old neighbor asked me to attend a cooking class with him, which I just got out of. I’m now at Walmart buying an Instant Pot to teach him how to use it,” he said in the video. “I hope you’ll stay with me on this journey.”

In their first cooking video they made chili, and viewers sent words of encouragement. While they’re working, they talk about things like music – Rudy’s favorite is gospel – Rudy’s time in the Army, and life in general.

Another video has the pair making Chicken Pot Pie Soup. During the video Rudy says he has a lot of experience peeling potatoes after being in the Army. He has a great sense of humor and is truly grateful to his neighbor for helping him learn to cook – something he calls a blessing to him and his wife.

Rudy told The Today Show, “I told some people at church, I says, ‘You wouldn’t believe it. God has plans, and His plan and my plan is completely different.’ I said, ‘You wouldn’t believe it, I’m doing cooking shows now,” he says. “They go, ‘Yeah, right, sure.’”

The two have made several meals now, and each recipe goes into Rudy’s Recipes binder. Rudy says as he learns to make more nutritious meals, his wife is doing better. He can’t believe he has online fans. Tyler just considers this neighbors helping neighbors.

You can watch full length videos on YouTube or see short versions by searching Cooking With Rudy on Facebook or Instagram.

This is such a sweet example of taking care of each other. Of stepping in and using your strengths to support someone who just needs a little help. Keep your eye out for people in your own life that might need your help.

As you’re enjoying this long Memorial Day weekend, pause for just a moment to truly reflect on those who served and sacrificed. Have a great weekend.

Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications

Source: Laamour, Joseph. ‘Cooking With Rudy’: Man Teaches 77-Year-Old Neighbor to Cook in Heartwarming Series. Today.com.