My neighbor is sick. She hasn’t come out and said the words, but she’s hinted at breast cancer. It’s not the first time for her; she knows what to do.
I don’t know what her prognosis is; we haven’t talked about it, but I do know that her relatives all live several states away and that she’s a quiet person who has just a small group of friends. She’s never been married and she doesn’t have children, so I’m wondering: who’s going to take care of her if she gets really sick?
We live in a small compound (although that’s not quite the right word) with five little beach cottages on a lot. Mr. Fab and I live in the front house and the other four are all occupied by single women. One has grown kids and grandkids, but the others are childfree, like me. So, I wonder, if my friend needs care, will it come from us, her neighbors?
Maybe she has a plan figured out that doesn’t include us, but if my friend needed help, I’d be there for her and I’m encouraged to realize that, even though I don’t have children to care for me when I’m older, I do have friends, and I’m willing to be that those friends would be there for me, too, if I needed that. That thought alone makes me optimistic for the future and how this whole thing will work out.
Angela says
What a fantastic attitude, and one I try to have as well. Like the Golden Rule says, Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you treat people well, you will be treated well in return. I also worry about who will take care of me when I’m old or if I get sick, but I take comfort that I will be blessed as much as I bless others.
Mali says
What Angela said. I can’t improve on that.
Dorothy says
How blessed is your neighbor, to have such a kind person like you living near her. I know a woman who is in her nineties and being cared for by friends and neighbors because her only surviving child lives in another state. She refuses to move closer to her son and she does not maintain contact with her grandchildren. Her family is extremely grateful for the care she receives. They do not understand why she has isolated herself like this, in her own home. A social services case worker said there is nothing the family can do as long as this lady is in her right mind.
Like Lisa, the neighbors caring for this elderly woman give me hope for the future. God bless you!