Monday, April 27, 2009

Free Vintage Images - and a Story


Here's an Image, and now, for the Story....

Early last week I had gone down to check the mail. It's about 1/4 mile walk down to our mail box, and I took 2 Corgi girls and Nitro, our Aussie Shepherd. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed looking about, to see what was new popping up in the woods on our way down. When I looked up, I could see the house across the street - there were police cruisers, the local Fire Dept. trucks, an Ambulance, and the volunteer fireman in their cars with the flashers all going! I know there's an elderly couple living in the house - they own 40 well-kept acres, and we see the gentleman from time to time, talking with him when we see him - nice fella. I have never met his wife in the few years we've lived here, I'm ashamed to say. I thought of going over to see if there was anything I could do, but I'd probably be in the way, so I figured I'd stop by later, in the next day or two, when things settled down. For now, it looked like their children and the emergency team had things handled well.

I did stop by a couple days later. I went alone, this time, checked my mail AND theirs, and went around to the back of the house where they have a screened in porch. Much to my surprise, the wife was sitting on the porch, and she immediately hopped up and welcomed me into her home, not knowing me from Adam! After introducing ourselves, I expressed my concern, and asked what happened. I was told her husband was non-responsive and she called her children to help, and now he was in the hospital running tests to figure out what was happening with him.

2 hours went by in a heartbeat. I discovered she had been a stay-at-home mother of 4, but only 2 children were now living. She unfolded some of the story of her life with her husband, how things used to be 'back when'.... Upon further questions on my part, I would be able to rest assured that:
A.) She was aware of current events, even though she spoke haltingly, could not recall words to describe things like "cow manure" (she called them "things cows leave behind"!)
and
B.) Her kids were making sure she had meals and was updated on her husbands' condition.
I asked if I could stop by again, to which she responded favorably - she is in her mid 70's, and no one comes to call out in the country these days - they are all working, she assumed, and she would be glad of a return visit. I figured this week I'd stop by with some cookies or some such thing - always a good way to begin a new friendship and make up for time lost!

5 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

It's amazing in these days and times we don't know our neighbors. I must confess - I'm guilty of that too. I'm glad you went over and met her and that you are going to bring some cookies over and check on her.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I agree, with Chatty we are all so busy in our own little world that we don't take time to visit anymore. I remember when DH and I married in '61 Everyone knew their neighbors and look out for the elderly.
Sadly we don't do that anymore. I remember when we first built our house in 1970, I had gone to visit our new neighbers down the road and can you imagine my surprise and shock when the Lady of the house introduced me to the lady down the road from her, who happen to drop by to bring her, some mail she had recieved by mistake, she said "I'd like you to met, our new neighbor Marj, she's going to be the kind of neighber I like, one who won't be dropping by all the time but will be there when you need her...ok that told me don't come to visit unless I call and need you. Then her neighber said, yep that's the best kind of neighber.
I am glad you are checking on her, it sounds like she can use a friend.
Thanks for sharing.
Molly

Angela said...

I'm glad that you stopped in on her! I'm sure that she was glad to have some company also. I live in the country. I do know most of them but we don't visit. Most of my neighbors are related! hahaha I did get a new neighbor about a year ago and the other neighbors told me that she carries a gun and she is not friendly. So, to this day I have no idea what she even looks like. All I know is she had better not ever pull her gun out on me and my kids unless she is willing to use it!
Hugs,
Angela

ocmist said...

Sounds like you made a new friend that needs a friend. I've always enjoyed talking with elderly people as they often have some very interesting things to teach... Those were neat pics, too!

Dismom said...

What a nice story. I hope that your gentleman neighbor will be okay. I'm glad you finally got to meet his wife. Since we moved to our neighborhood 1 1/2 years ago,we've become friends with a lot of our neighbors-which makes it so nice-everyone is looking out for each other.