From My Past
A big white Hummer backed up to the coin laundry where I was washing my clothes Sunday morning. It had driven by earlier as I waited for the laundry to open. It sat there for a while, longer than usual. My clothes were drying so I went outside to smoke a cigarette. Finally, I saw a small man inching his way toward the back of the vehicle. He was barely walking and had to stop when he stepped up on the curb. I asked him if he needed help and he said he would appreciate it. I went over and opened the back door, being careful he was out of the way. Inside, was a large garbage container with rollers on it, filled with towels. He said they were his wife's business towels. I got them out and pulled them inside the laundry. It took him a good 5-10 minutes to get inside as he had to walk very short, shuffling steps. He said he had Parkinson's disease and his legs sometimes "froze up" on him. Once he got the towels in the washers, we talked. We introduced ourselves and him name sounded familiar. He said he had been a barber and I realized he use to cut my hair. But, his appearance was not how I remembered it. I remembered him being as tall or taller than me, but although I've shrunk 3 inches in height, he was shorter than me. He had been a ball of fire at his shop and now could barely walk. The ravages of time and disease had taken it's toll on him. I, sometimes, feel sorry for myself and wonder "Why me". He's just a year older than me, but I can carry my laundry and do other things he can't. He keeps going and has a great outlook on life. One he shared with me Sunday morning.
Replies
Wow, Mike this puts life more into perspective. Even though coping with disability alone after the death of my husband what made life so unbearable was my being harmed by those I trusted as \'family\' that turned out to not be deserving of any trust at all and where they had only sought to exploit my circumstances for their own personal gain while leaving me severely harmed, neglected and for dead. I am doing better these days as one year ago this month I faced my own death when I was taken to the ER from being so ill from the harm done by those I considered \'family\'. That night in the ER facing death I was at last willing, after nine years, to let go of those inflicting such harm and I began to embrace reality fully for what it was and today my life is improving where I have many moments of joy and happiness.
For all that is good in our lives -- I am thankful.
Gentle ((hugs)) shared with you.
:-) Patricia.