House dusted and tidied by eight every morning.
Then she washes and dresses, adds some make-up too.
Two slices of toast, and a cup of tea.
Plate and cup washed and dried of course.
She opens the curtains, to be able to see the front path.
There might be a visitor today.
At some point, people stop venturing out. I remember my grandmother being frightened fo leaving her house. Your described her life for those last years. Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Theo. I think ‘my’ lady would love to go out. If only someone would come and ask her.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
This is so poignant! Loneliness is a cruel foe, C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old ladies like her used to ring an emergency ambulance sometimes, just to have someone to talk to for fifteen minutes.
Best wishes,,Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only imagine their joy at seeing you walking up their vacant stoop. C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loneliness is a very sad thing. Here the elder ones can meet in communities. But at least this is only advertising for a mobile care business. Its all about money, these times. 😉 Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is hoping for a visitor who never comes, sadly.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sad but i admire her high hopes…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hope was about all she had left, Wilma.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There’s one like that in our village. She stands out in the street and waits for people to pass by. They’re then caught for at least half an hour, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are everyhere. On my dog-walk today, an elderly neighbour spent ages telling me about having to have a new heating oil tank fitted. After 30 minutes, she said, “Sorry to drone on, Peter, but I have nobody else to tell about it”.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s okay if we’ve got the time to listen, but sometimes we haven’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to know that someone remembers and cares. It does make the world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does indeed. Though sadly, such ladies almost never had a single visitor.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I used to go to physical therapy I would find the waiting room full but I always went right in. Wondering about that, I asked. I was told that many people arrived very very early for the chance to sit among other people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. The lady I was writing about used to occasionally ring for an ambulance, though she didn’t need us. She enjoyed the brief conversation and company,.before we had to leave. There were many more like her.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see them in my memory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today the visitor arrived that changed everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice positive thought there, Geoff.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
House gathering dust and cobwebs. Wretched odors.
Stacks more dishes on the couch, stays all day in her ragged nightgown, no makeup.
A dozen donuts, a couple more beers.
Empty bags and beer cans strewn on a filthy floor.
She opens the curtains to ponder the graffiti scribbled by kids in the housing project.
Old, abandoned, demoralized. Looking forward to perusing the junk mail again today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Junk mail would be a definite bonus for her, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can really picture this lady you describe so beautifully. Poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susanne. I met so many like her over the years.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lonely lady.😕
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were thousands like her in London, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sad, and not unusual….
LikeLiked by 1 person
They often used to ring 999, just to have some company for a while. So many of them, Sue.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tragic
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad tale filled with hope. chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
I met so many like her, chuq. Lonely, and waiting for someone to arrive. They rarely did.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old age can be a lonely time for many….chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe there is a fine line between sadness and hopefulness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I met so many ladies like that, Maggie.
They used to sometimes call an ambulance, just to have the company.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sad. And so true. This made me think of my mother in law, though not the dusting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I met so many like her, Jude. Sometimes they called an ambulance just to have some company for 20 minutes.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLike
Oh, my heart has reached out to this sad soul …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thousands like her, behind the clean windows and closed doors.
Thanks, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete. Lovely work, the way you portrayed her.
LikeLiked by 1 person