I wrote last week about my caregivers, one gentlemen who has looked after me, really, for the past 15 years, and a new gentlemen who graciously said he would help me out also.
I have long believed in “Paying It Forward” and that belief has come back to me in my old age.
If I saw a couple in previous years sitting in a restaurant I was in looking rather down and out, I would quietly pay their bill.
One time I was in my favorite Waffle House and saw a young soldier, his wife and two small sons sitting in a back corner. I told the server waiting on me that I wanted to pay their bill. She said nothing, just complied.
After this family left, she informed me that was her son and he was on his way to Afganistan and we both got a little teary eyed.
Several years ago I got a coupon for my birthday from a local restaurant for one of their $10 hamburgers- complimentary. Feelinglike I should pay for something, I ordered a desert.
I saw a young fellow, probably in his mid 20s, sitting not far from me, and we nodded a greeting. He left awhile before me. When I finally finished eating and tried to pay my bill, he had already done so. I was pleased someone 60 years younger than me also believed in paying it forward. I believe this young man will go far.
Now that I must push a walker everywhere I go, it has been refreshing that so many folks, young and old, short and tall, white and black, stop me to inquire if I need any assistance.
I have even had people stop their car and get out to make this inquiry.
Though my children grew up here, one now lives in Denver and the other in Oregon. So yes, I have to drive myself, it’s no problem to drive, get to doctor appointments and to get my hair cut, all by myself. As wise people are aware, you do whatever you have to do.
My only complaint is with the businesses in the county as regards disability parking. Fayette County now has 20 percent senior citizens living here, and there’s not enough disability parking available. My eye doctor is with a large firm that built a million dollar new facility two years ago, has an average patient age in their 50s. There are not enough disability parking spots and with with absolutely no way for disabled to get in the doors. No, no automatic door opener, you just have to stand there until someone else is entering and opens the door for you.
Our post office in Fayetteville is another ignorant example. It painted two new blue and white wheelchair spots out front, but they are not legal parking spots. To be in the legal category, they have to have a blue parking sign up front, and the curbs have to be cut out. I have told their person in charge of this, and that I would be glad to give her the proper rules for this, but she does not seem to care. By-the-by, because they are not legal spots, anyone can park there.
But I digress and I apologize, no matter how large our county gets, nor if any increase in crime occurs, we will still have to look after each other, and I shall continue “Paying It Forward” the rest of my life.
