Comments on: Ann-Marie on Do-ing Community

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:42:07 +0000

Hi Wilma and Anne-Marie .. these are really interesting comments and ring true here – and it’s something that the future holds for me I believe: I just have to work out the best way to help when the time comes, once I’ve spent the time with my Ma. My uncle fell over in August, triggered his prostate cancer straight into his bones, making him blind first, and he was dead within two months: however I was there as much as possible for him, as well as continuing to care for my mother. Both of them were/are extremely considerate of others – others come first.

There were things that right family wise and I felt like a pariah, though I know I was correct – but never acknowledged .. the blame gets thrown .. why didn’t you let me help – well he was always there to visit etc etc

Since then in December – people have been falling over like nine-pins and frankly I haven’t been able to cope as much as I could .. especially as they aren’t family or friends as such and my energies have been sapped. I had to rescue a neighbour by breaking a window – fortunately she is ok – but that was 3 days in the hospital or here I could have done without. Another neighbour fell and is bruised and battered .. she needs time too .. another neighbour of 80+ had his wife with alzheimer’s in hospital .. and he was totally depressed etc etc (he’d been coping with her for years) – he had flu, fell over at home & died – they had to break in there too. Then a friend of my father’s in Cornwall of 90+ fell and cracked her head open – she’s ok too, but had got bronchitis just before Christmas .. now I’d go and look after her – but obviously I have my Ma here and we are 275 miles away.

Life is life – but your do-ing community rings home – we are intrinsically lazy, thoughtless, selfish – I see it at the Home the time people give to their loved ones .. when so much more could be done.

I could go on – but enough for now … sometimes just a little idea helps – I took some daffodils and a couple of tulips for the two ladies’ who’d fallen over, and the vase I’d made for Charles I gave to a young couple (she is a Jehovah’s Witness and doesn’t celebrate Christmas – I hadn’t realised) .. but that lightened up their days. Sometimes a card to say hi and welcome .. it doesn’t have to be a physical connection, even if someone’s new .. with a brief explanation and a comment I hope to meet you soon.

Once my life is mine – I have some ideas, which direction I’ll go I don’t know – I’m a wanderer .. so it’ll have to be something I can do on the move, until I settle down .. I’m not short of ideas or being positive fortunately!
Go well – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..Pantomime – Lord of Misrule – Grand Dame …

By: Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:43:03 +0000

Hello there Barbara.
Great to have you here. Is this the beginning of community in your neighborhood?
I love that you now have a name for each neighbor and no longer a description of their house to identify them by.
One idea, one gesture, one action and this lady in your neighborhood created connectedness. She reached out, she had courage and she made it happen. Wonderful!
So when is the next get together or is this a one off?
Hugs to you.

By: Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:36:10 +0000

Robin, my heart is pounding as I read your words.
To express the world – community and humanity as a ‘child crying out in the dark’, is a strong image. The need to be understood, to be comforted, to be hugged, to feel safe and to be loved is huge in this world. Our world is starving! And you are there feeding it, nurturing it and sponsoring it to flourish. As you say ‘it takes so little to give SO much’.

I agree with Wilma, you paint a picture of huge possibility when it comes to community. And I too am grateful for that.
Thank you Robin for being the love that you are. x

By: Wilma

Wilma — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:49:32 +0000

Robin, you again go beyond the simple words that are written here and paint the ultimate compelling image about community and its human resource and what is possible.
That, my friend is incredible valuable as we need someone who can paint us an image about community that we can aim for.
Most of us cannot see what is possible and someone needs to lift the veil and I am so immensely grateful that you are doing that for me and for everybody here who desires to see.

Robin, you are a treasure and your singing an image is beautiful beyond words.
The biggest hug, Wilma

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:09:51 +0000

Hi Ann-Marie and Wilma,

You’re right. Community is very important and is something that often gets overlooked with everyone being so busy with their own lives.

About two weeks ago one of the ladies in our neighborhood arranged a get together for all of the people who live in our subdivision. Some of us brought treats and even though the food was good, it was the conversation and sense of community that made all of us feel closer to each other. It’s like we started an unofficial neighborhood watch and now when we see each other we sense we’re seeing a “friend”, not just the unnamed neighbor who “lives in the blue house”.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..The Battle Over Comments – Part 2