In response to yesterday’s WordPress DailyPost Topic #176: Find the nearest window. Look outside. What is the most interesting thing you see?
I do a lot of my blog procrastination sitting on a little sofa in the bay window of our front room.
Having the curtains open means that I can see most of the world passing by (the window nets make sure that that the world can’t see me unless it really squints).
There’s normally a steady stream of people and cars passing along our road as we’re between one part of town and another. We have a lot of rush hour people cutting through, and a lot of younger people walking down here on their way to and from nights out. But on the whole, it’s reasonably quiet and a great place to live.
The first thing that normally catches my eye when I look outside the window or step out of the front door is the house opposite. Paul’s house.
Paul’s life seems to focus almost entirely on looking after his very elderly mum and dad. He drives occasionally, usually school buses at the start and end of the day, but mostly he’s at the house being a carer.
We don’t know them well, but they do occasionally come over for something or other. Sometimes if Paul’s gone out and they’ve become confused about something. It’s in those moments where we realise how much he has his work cut out.
I know that there are thousands upon thousands of people like Paul all over the country. All over every country I suspect. Caring for people who once cared for them. Putting their own lives on hold as someone else’s drifts into its final years.
And yet, the thing that most often happens to catch my eye and notice Paul’s house is that he always seems to be at either the window or the front door. Standing there really cheerfully with a smile and a wave for anyone who walks by.
I know that we all have difficult bits in our lives, but I’m not sure that many of us could remain that cheerful.
I work with a lady who takes care of her 80 something year old parents. She does not handle the stress as well as your neighbor across the street. She is often very moody and nasty at work, stopping around and cursing. I know it i the stress but it does make it hard to work with her. Appreciat yor neighbor’s friendly waves. Stopping bye from the Tea Party.
I think this is a really hard thing for lots of carers; it’s so difficult to see a loved one deteriorating, and to have all of the pressure of looking after them. There’s no wonder it spills over into other things.
But then it’s sad that it impacts on her relationships with other people. So sad.
My mom spent the last 6 years taking care of her elderly neighbor and our family friend Ms Jean. She passed away a few months ago. Its a hard thing to do, but so worth it.
I wish I had Pauls address. I’d like to send him a smile!
xoxo
Paula
realhousewifeofsingapore
I was with some people yesterday who were talking about looking after elderly neighbours. Such a lovely thing to do in the community.
I have a lady near me who always waves and smiles at me when I’m walking to work. I think she sits in a chair by the window all day, and I often wonder whether I could offer her some help in some way.