Holiday Again
Here I am on another holiday weekend without people to celebrate with me. I got through yesterday by calling a friend and almost inviting myself to dinner. Actually, I didn't invite myself to dinner. I asked to come over later in the evening and to make a Walmart run together. She was very open to the suggestion and invited me to dinner, which I was happy to accept. I had a very nice meal and enjoyed my time with her and her husband. Then I came home and watched the Pirate baseball game, which went till after 12:30 AM. I turned it off at 12:30 and went to bed. I had to learn this morning that the Pirates had won the game in the bottom of the 18th inning. I was still sleepy this morning.
This morning I noticed a friend at church who seemed really depressed. When I asked her if she had plans for dinner and she answered that she didn't, I invited her to come to my house for dinner. I hadn't planned ahead, but I knew that I could get something out of the freezer and make a meal which we would enjoy together. She accepted eagerly, and I'm sure I saw tears in her eyes.
Jean has been a widow for 18 years. She's gone through the early adjustment years, through the times when the "kids" came home a lot and needed her. Now she has grandchildren and even great grandchildren and many of her family live an hour away and they don't come visit much. She says she remembers how the best times were when she was cooking and baking for her family. Now she seldom cooks or bakes, not even cooking for herself.
After our meal, we went to the living room and just talked till about 3, when she left to go home. I'm glad she came today because I wasn't planning to cook for myself! She wasn't cooking her own meal either. So we both had a nice meal and had friendship, too. Yes, I'm very glad that she came for dinner today
Submitted by
nj
at 5/29/2006 5:57:12 AM- Brenda, how nice to hear from you again. I don't know why sometimes it's so hard to get into involvement with people and I have to work so hard at it. Some times it just falls into place easily, like this weekend, but even then, I have had to make an effort. I'm happy for you that you're having people with you this summer. Surely by next summer God will provide more blessings for you. I hope things keep looking up.
Submitted by
mary lou
at 5/29/2006 3:54:05 PM- For years, I could not wait until I was retired, and able to live in the same town with all of my family, and have huge family get togethers all the time. But my family has a mind of it;s own. They all live away, and have their own lives that dont include me. SIGH!! so I too am alone on the holidays, except for Easter and Thankgsgiving and Christmas, when my siblings gather here, but not my kids!!
Submitted by
nj
at 5/30/2006 5:31:55 AM- Mary Lou, it seems to be the case for a lot of older folks, that their children's lives are so full of their activities that they don't have time to spend with their parent/s. Sometimes we understand that because distance separates us, but often it seems that planning could make a difference. Whatever it is, it hurts. And we don't know how to change it to meet our needs. It doesn't help to know that many people our age are going through the same thing, does it?
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Nancy,
I am very blessed this summer. My daughter is home for the summer -- she found a summer internship job near our home. Next summer she plans to find an internship on the East Coast. My niece is also living with us this summer. She will move into her own apartment when she knows which school she will be teaching at. I'm afraid it will be the last summer I will be blessed with these young roommates -- then I will be following your example -- finding ways to fill the holiday week-ends. Stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out to others. I'm glad you had two enjoyable meals this week-end.