Thursday 6 December 2012

What Would You Have Done?

Afternoon!

I have been debating whether to tell you this or not for a few days.

On Saturday, I was at my local Iceland buying their Sweet Chilli Chicken Pizzas (£1.50 each and just delicious!).

Being naturally talkative, I started chatting with the woman in front of me in the queue. Elderly, with a lovely smile.

After exchanging a couple of mundane sentances. She said to me
"Would you mind wishing me, Happy Birthday? As I am 80 today and no-one has said Happy Birthday to me"

God....

Doesn't it just break your heart?

I of course wished her Happy Birthday as did the Cashier and everyone else at the Checkout. It turns out her husband died earlier this year and there was no-one around. I suspect she was lonely.

I waited a couple of minutes and asked her if she would like to come for a cup of tea with me to a local cafe. I was going to get her a piece of cake and generally make a fuss of her.

I think she got embarrassed, and said "No, I am ok thank you" and scurried off.

I feel so sad when I think of this lady.

Loneliness must be debilitating.

Sigh.... Christmas must be unbearable for so many people.

Rather forlornly

Abigail
x

5 comments:

  1. That is so sad Abigail I want to cry! I think I would have ran around the street until I found the old dear. God bless her. Breaks your heart
    xx

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  2. It really makes you sit up and think doesn't it. I've just invited an elderly relative for Christmas who was sadly bereaved on Tuesday. Our noisy hectic house will be nothing like she's used to, but simply couldn't see someone on their own at Christmas. My thoughts are with your birthday lady. What a shame she doesn't know that she's in so many people's minds right now.
    Patricia

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  3. Last year we had a little job delivering flowers on 23rd and 24th December. It broke my heart to see so many old people who were going to be alone at Christmas.

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  4. That is a very heartbreaking story. I try to help any elderly person I see because I hope that someone is doing the same for my parents who live far away.

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I really love reading all comments. So please tell me what you think. Abigail