Post by brassmonkey on Dec 20, 2008 11:34:05 GMT -5
When we spent the night at the high school during the ice storm, I saw some very sad sights. There were some elderly people brought in after midnight, and they didn't want to be there. It wasn't their family or friends that brought them to the shelter-it was strangers. They were all alone, and it was sad to see.
One lady was there before we arrived, and she was just sitting on the floor on a mat, all alone and by herself. Her name is Mary Haskins. I knew her from the Conservation Commission, so I went over to see if she needed anything or if she'd let me get her one of the two remaining Army stretchers that were being used as cots.. She refused. She didn't want to be there either, but everyone knew it was best. It was just sad that she was there all alone.
Anyway, we were some of the lucky ones who got our power restored the next day, so we were able to leave the shelter and return home and start the warming up of the homestead.
I felt guilty about leaving.
I returned several times to the shelter to bring fresh brownies and chocolate chip cookies to the people who were still stuck there, and I would sit and talk with this one elderly couple who really struck me as sad. He was in the early stages of dementia, and she was being a real trooper about the whole situation.. I would sit and talk with them each time I returned to the shelter just to keep them company and make sure they didn't need anything, as neither is ambulatory without a lot of hard work..
So we talked and we talked, and at one point the husband told me his address. He told me to stop by so he could show me these knives that he used to make from raw materials and ship around the world. He was really proud to talk about them, so I listened.
Yesterday I got to thinking about that sweet old couple, and I decided I'd drop in on them at home to see how they were doing and if they needed anything.
Well, I found them home and relaxing. They invited me in and we had a nice chat.. He showed me one of his beautiful knives, and told me all about how he used to order the steel from Canada special-"This is Stainless and, AND carbon steel mixed!!" Got it.
It came out in conversation that I had showed up on his 85th birthday. I asked if they had children or family in the area, and she said, "No, our daughter has been with God for 30 years now." She was in a car accident and died.. My heart sank.. Here he was on his 85th birthday and all alone. Profoundly sad.
I went and got him a little something for his birthday and for them for Christmas, and what it was doesn't bear repeating as I don't want any glory for it, but I just couldn't let this day go by without any recognition at all of his special day.
I left them there all alone, just as they were before I showed up, and it was hard. But I figure you can't help everyone. I just wish more people would take an interest in the elderly and try to make their twilight years a little less lonely. Thank you to all who do.
One lady was there before we arrived, and she was just sitting on the floor on a mat, all alone and by herself. Her name is Mary Haskins. I knew her from the Conservation Commission, so I went over to see if she needed anything or if she'd let me get her one of the two remaining Army stretchers that were being used as cots.. She refused. She didn't want to be there either, but everyone knew it was best. It was just sad that she was there all alone.
Anyway, we were some of the lucky ones who got our power restored the next day, so we were able to leave the shelter and return home and start the warming up of the homestead.
I felt guilty about leaving.
I returned several times to the shelter to bring fresh brownies and chocolate chip cookies to the people who were still stuck there, and I would sit and talk with this one elderly couple who really struck me as sad. He was in the early stages of dementia, and she was being a real trooper about the whole situation.. I would sit and talk with them each time I returned to the shelter just to keep them company and make sure they didn't need anything, as neither is ambulatory without a lot of hard work..
So we talked and we talked, and at one point the husband told me his address. He told me to stop by so he could show me these knives that he used to make from raw materials and ship around the world. He was really proud to talk about them, so I listened.
Yesterday I got to thinking about that sweet old couple, and I decided I'd drop in on them at home to see how they were doing and if they needed anything.
Well, I found them home and relaxing. They invited me in and we had a nice chat.. He showed me one of his beautiful knives, and told me all about how he used to order the steel from Canada special-"This is Stainless and, AND carbon steel mixed!!" Got it.
It came out in conversation that I had showed up on his 85th birthday. I asked if they had children or family in the area, and she said, "No, our daughter has been with God for 30 years now." She was in a car accident and died.. My heart sank.. Here he was on his 85th birthday and all alone. Profoundly sad.
I went and got him a little something for his birthday and for them for Christmas, and what it was doesn't bear repeating as I don't want any glory for it, but I just couldn't let this day go by without any recognition at all of his special day.
I left them there all alone, just as they were before I showed up, and it was hard. But I figure you can't help everyone. I just wish more people would take an interest in the elderly and try to make their twilight years a little less lonely. Thank you to all who do.
