“Twice =
this week, I have watched an elderly individual fade into the busy life =
in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife but the =
shop assistant simply said it’s in aisle ‘6’. He =
struggled to navigate the supermarket and as I watched him go in the =
wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to =
go.
Today, I =
watched an elderly man struggle in the heat, who had obviously had a =
fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He walked past people in the cafe, while he slowly =
made his way to his car. Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or =
acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked he was ok. He told =
me he had a fall and wasn’t sure how the air con worked in his car =
so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him, until his air con kicked =
in and heard him talk about the old frail body that he is in, that fails =
him now, every single day.
When you see =
an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket =
or struggling to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and =
ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grandparents and your =
parents and how upset you would be if someone didn’t stop to help =
them. But more, think of them as you.
Once upon a =
time they were you. They were busy, they had work, they had children, =
and they were able. Today, they are just in an older body that is not =
going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They =
deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day it will be you, it =
will be us. I wish more people cared more about them and acknowledged =
them for their admirable existence and jeez I hope someday, not that far =
away, someone does it for me.”
[thanks to the =
author, Adele Renee]
personal note: =
I had my left leg in a cast to the knee, and use a cane when out as I am =
unsteady. I was asked to pick up some take-out at a different =
Chinese restaurant than I normally frequent for a special family =
gathering. I parked in the handicapped spot and walked around the =
building to the unlocked door. The order for four complete dinners =
was soon ready and put in a large box. I wrote the check and the =
lady looked at me trying to get hold of the box, my cane and =
navigate. She asked “Do you need help?” I =
quickly said yes, thanked her, and put my checkbook in my pocket. =
At full speed =
she walked to the door to hold it open. NOT the help I needed, but =
at least she tried. Eventually I got the box secure in my arms and =
hobbled to the door, stopping to catch my breath, then continued over =
the broken concrete sidewalk to the car where I could set the box on the =
hood, fumble for keys, get all the food situated safely and finally =
climb into my side. And cried in sadness, pain and anger. It IS me =
now.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"