I’m not preaching to anyone . . just sharing a personal experience. I know I mentioned it on Facebook and think I mentioned it here but about a month ago I made a cake and made several little mini cakes and gave them to some neighbors. There’s an old guy who lives nearby and he’s kind of a pain but . . who among us isn’t sometimes? He was almost 90. He no longer drove. He lived alone and I’ve heard he had no family and I’ve heard he has family who doesn’t live nearby. I do know his wife passed away before we ever moved here. He was very lonely and I felt bad for him. Vince and I have way different ideas about sharing and caring. I would have had the old guy over for dinner every night if it were up to me. What would it have hurt? I felt like it wasn’t a good idea for me to go to his house by myself to take food so occasionally . . not often enough . . I would take things to a family who lives closer to him, though he’s probably about 6 houses down from us, and they would get the food to him.
When I made the cakes, I told Vince I was taking one down to the neighbor to give to him. She told me he was touched that I made the cake for him. I knew he had a sweet tooth. The neighbor would bring him ice cream almost every day. He would have been 90 on his birthday in a few months and she was going to order an ice cream cake for him.
I just got an email from her that he passed away last night – probably in his home alone.
I’m thankful that I made that cake and shared it with him and I wish I had done more. I’ve always thought maybe he wouldn’t like what I cooked or maybe he had dietary restrictions and I’d mess things up for him. I should have made a point to find out more info and do more.
All I can do is go forward and listen to my heart more.
Rosalie says
Agree that we need to listen to our hearts and be caring people and neighbors. I figure if I give someone something they shouldn’t eat that they can pass it on or throw it out. But I also know that sometimes what we shouldn’t eat and do can bring a spark of joy even if just for a moment. Thankfully he had neighbors who cared about him.
Danielle says
I am so glad you sent him the cake – you brought some joy into his life! And therefore, into yours. Do not be sad for what you did not do – be thankful for what you did.
Susan says
You brought him a cake of happiness. You did a good thing, and he was blessed, as your are, because of it. Definitely listen, learn if you need to, but don’t regret what you didn’t do. Be grateful you did what you did, listening to the spirit.
debspups says
What I thought when I read what you’d done was that elderly gentleman truly enjoyed the kindness of the neighbor down the street, and YOUR actions made his last days just that much better for him. Forget the rest of it — you made an old man very happy….and now he’s very happy to be reunited with his family in heaven! Take care! Deb E
Helen says
This post touches my heart, Judy. No matter how much I do for others, I know in my heart I could have done more. I strive to be more kind but I also realize I am human and try to be kind to myself, too.
Donna in KS says
My husband took garden vegetables up and down the cul-de-sac daily, helped people in many ways frequently. Most people appreciated and told him so. Now I am alone and would appreciate even just conversation with neighbors, but everyone is apparently too busy with their own lives. Thank you for what you did do for this gentleman!