Friday, April 21, 2006
The Caring Neighbor
My next-door neighbor is Red, a woman in her late forties who is unlike anyone you have ever met. Our age difference seems insignificant, as we have a lot in common. We have spent a lot of time together for the last five years since she moved to the East Mountains from the university area in Albuquerque.
One of Red's neighbors in town was another young single lady who has muscular dystrophy. Red calls her Miss Ann, a title of much respect. She spends every Thursday afternoon with Ann, has helped landscape her back yard with raised flower beds that can be reached from her electric scooter so that she can dig, plant, water her little garden with hands that can barely function. Her positive attitude is such that she is a joy to be around.
All these years, Red kept hoping to win the lottery so she could afford to buy Ann a new scooter, as the old one was worn out and evidently unfixable. As soon as she received part of her inheritance after her dad died, the first thing she bought was the scooter. She collects everybody's old carpet scraps with which to cover the pathways between Ann's flower beds to make steering the scooter so much easier. Now the avid gardener practically lives in the yard when the weather cooperates, excited about every sprouting plant, so thankful for every tiny blessing.
Yesterday I accompanied Red to Miss Ann's in order to meet her grandmother "June Bug" and an aunt who are visiting from Pennsylvania. They cooked an awesome supper of waffles and chicken, a combination new to both of us and quite tasty, much like chicken and dumplings. June Bug sent us home with a supply of delicious sweet rolls for breakfast, which were gone before bedtime as we watched North Country, with our friend Charlie in several scenes as an extra. It was a good day.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
One of Red's neighbors in town was another young single lady who has muscular dystrophy. Red calls her Miss Ann, a title of much respect. She spends every Thursday afternoon with Ann, has helped landscape her back yard with raised flower beds that can be reached from her electric scooter so that she can dig, plant, water her little garden with hands that can barely function. Her positive attitude is such that she is a joy to be around.
All these years, Red kept hoping to win the lottery so she could afford to buy Ann a new scooter, as the old one was worn out and evidently unfixable. As soon as she received part of her inheritance after her dad died, the first thing she bought was the scooter. She collects everybody's old carpet scraps with which to cover the pathways between Ann's flower beds to make steering the scooter so much easier. Now the avid gardener practically lives in the yard when the weather cooperates, excited about every sprouting plant, so thankful for every tiny blessing.
Yesterday I accompanied Red to Miss Ann's in order to meet her grandmother "June Bug" and an aunt who are visiting from Pennsylvania. They cooked an awesome supper of waffles and chicken, a combination new to both of us and quite tasty, much like chicken and dumplings. June Bug sent us home with a supply of delicious sweet rolls for breakfast, which were gone before bedtime as we watched North Country, with our friend Charlie in several scenes as an extra. It was a good day.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
