Have you noticed how a spell of really bad weather in winter gets people chatting when they never would do so at other times. A really heavy snow load on the roads and pavements, for example, and it crosses your mind that some older neighbours might not feel safe trying to get out for a bit of shopping. Well actually, it’s not just in challenging weather that this is difficult for some of them.
I’d generally kept an eye on my closest lovely neighbours but I started to check up on others both nearby and some distance away too. As they became more frail so their own social networks start to decline and I reflected on how I would feel if this happened to me. One old lady friend was some considerable distance from me, involving a night away, but I really enjoyed going to see her once a month and taking her out for lunch or some other activity.
We both got a lot out of our friendship and it gives a good feeling to know you’ve brightened someone’s day.
How are your older neighbours and friends?
The end goal is a bonus - it's the journey that changes us