@stephenfrancisraymondpiotr7618

2 years ago

When visiting such neighbors, have enjoyed getting to know them. When seeing a house in such a disarray made it my goal to lend a hand, assisting with the situation until all was in order. Have had such experiences over the years. Takes very little time, especially when sitting together in the kitchen I offer to make some tea or coffee and during the preparation I converse and tidy up the area. Little cleaning here and there around the stove and kitchen is a great starting point. Of course having to get the person to know, Ma'am/Sir, you know you have got many more years on yourself. I being younger should always lend a hand and am going to help you every time I visit. Just went to the store afterwards and purchased some excellent fruit and food items along with various cleaning supplies; and, since the food items required refrigerating, a perfect time to use some of those items upon the stove, sink and refrigerator. They have always been most appreciative. I recall one instance when I had gotten the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, bedroom and staircase well done (Spic and Span as the box of cleaning powder quoted). Was informed her daughters were coming over to visit in 3 days around noon, and that gave me the idea of making a lunch for her to serve them. Simple salade in their own bowls in the fridge ready to serve along with a pot roast with vegetables being reheated in the oven. Of course everyone knows why we serve it the day after preparing a pot roast. (At least I have always heard people say it will be even better tomorrow reheating the left overs. Never knew whether that was to convince us kids to eat the same meal the next day; or, if it was really true. I instructed the Lady to answer the door wearing her full size apron and a kitchen towel over her shoulder when she answered the door. She did exactly that, and also told them upon their astonishment of seeing the house that she had a lunch prepared for them. Apparently they gave some rumbles of preferring to take the Lady out for lunch. I was told how they were amazed when they had dropped by, apparently to convince their Mother to move to an Assisted Living Building but instead to find out she is doing well here at home alone. I remember responding, oh she isn't always home alone, I get invited for evening dinner on Sundays occasionally and during the week we share what to watch on the tele each taking a turn with a movie title. I apologized for interrupting their visit and told them that I was just dropping by to see if she had any of that cheese cake left she made yesterday. Told them it reminded me of the New York Style Baked Cheesecake and with her strawberry preserves she made a couple weeks ago, for I had never had better. (Luckily, I not only enjoyed helping the elderly with their homes, but also enjoy cooking as I learned from Julia Child. Their Mother asked me if I wouldn't mind plating up four slices of the cheesecake for us. I said, coffee is coming too. Oh, and she also said "I placed the plates and dessert forks in the ice box to have them chilled and ready for serving dessert." Kinda made me chuckle a little for she threw that in without even my prompting. So I replied, "I wouldn't forget that Ma'am, that's how you always serve dessert." The whole afternoon was an eye opener for her daughters. The reason things got so cluttered and unkept was from their Mother being very down about the passing of her husband, and with her declining age issues just didn't have the "Vim and Vigor" being so affected by his passing and people just not stopping by anymore. Guess she got up-lifted by my visits and assisting her with the house. Her daughters asked how she was keeping up with the yard and flower gardens. I still remember her smiling and looking kindly towards me and tapping my had saying, "Well, I had to barter to get that done and luckily found a man that does it for a good slice of my homemade bread and homemade butter with some of the strawberry preserves to start the day and a piece of the cheese cake, like we just had eaten, as a dessert following." They both looked at me as I shrugged my shoulders indicating I had nothing to do with it, although, yes, it was myself keeping up the yard and landscaping. Being connected with my yard it was easy to ride the mower over my yard and her's the same day. Plus, I do so enjoy the vegetables and fruits that I planted for us to share. At least for now, I still have this wonderful neighbor that enjoys my visits and assistance. Heck, she surprised me around Christmas with an almost inexhaustible list of various types of cookies of which she, yes my elderly neighbor, made 2 to 3 dozen of each. A gift for myself for merely caring about how someone is living.

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