Late in December I got a phone call from my cousin, which is not unusual. She calls often just to check up on me and I appreciate it. The subject of the call was unusual and emphatic. She proceeded to say, “I know what you ought to write in your next column. I don’t know if it is because it is the season of the year or if I look more helpless or older, but the nicest things have been happening to me.” She had been out shopping – last-minute shopping for presents. She is the most fervent gift giver anyone has ever known. Also, age has sneaked up on her and the aging disease – bad knees – has made its presence known to her.
Her knees are particularly troublesome when confronted by steps. Of course, using a cane would ease that problem but that use reminds her of her age, so she forgets the cane. That morning in two places she stopped, contemplating some steps before attempting them. In both cases, people she did not know helped her up the steps and later helped her down and to her car.
She is the sort who would help others, so it was a well-deserved good deed, but she was surprised and moved by the kindness of strangers. And yes, it was the season, and yes, she is walking badly, but people are more courteous to us who look very senior, especially if we smile at them.
I have lived at the Hanover Towers for eight years and enjoyed it. Older and younger people are pleasant to me. Olders are my friends, and youngers are polite. Last week I made an emergency visit to the hospital by way of 911. They kept me for two days, mostly to make sure of a diagnosis and a safe return home, and a warmer welcome home would have not been possible. Offers to go to the market for me, visits to say, “Call me if you need me.” And Hanover Towers is an apartment house with 90 separate apartments – not a place where there are people whose job it is to take care of us. I have not regretted my choice to live here for one day since I moved in.
Our visit to the Arctic, or it’s visit to us, coincided with my hospital sojourn. I carried home a common cold germ – minor compared to what I could have brought. So I’ve had occasion to echo my cousin’s pleasure at the generosity of other people, and I don’t think it was just a Christmas phenomenon. I’ve stayed in my apartment both to nurse my cold and to keep it to myself. The holiday season is over and I still find people being nice. It almost makes me think of forsaking my oft repeated motto, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
I know I’m aging – can it be that I’m mellowing too?