119 ~ Can You Help?

By Kay Heitsch

I wasn't used to being at home, so it wasn't too long before I was ready to get out again.

My friend, Nancy, sells Avon, and she knows a lot of people. Somehow, Nancy heard of an older lady who needed a little help. Nancy did work like this, but she didn't have time to do any more, so she called to see if I could help Arlene.

Arlene was a spunky little lady. She lived in an apartment close to our home. Her family did live in town, but Arlene was independent. She preferred to handle her own affairs.

Once a week, I would go over and pick Arlene up and take her to the grocery store. Sometimes she would walk around the store, but other times she would sit, and I would shop. If I had a question, I could always ask her if this was what she wanted. Two things Arlene always bought were fresh flowers and Port wine.

Arlene's family had moved her to our area. However, she was from a little town up north. Every so often, we would take a trip north and meet up with her old friends. It was interesting because Arlene was the oldest of her friends, so I'm sure everyone thought this would be the last time they saw her. Wouldn't you know, she outlived everyone except one person.

Arlene moved to a new apartment. I tried to help her do some cleaning because her eyesight was not good. I would tell her that the throw rugs were dangerous, given her failing eyesight. She always agreed, and I would put them away. But when I came back, the throw rugs were back down.

After much encouragement from Arlene's family and me, she finally got a Life Alert button. Wouldn't you know, she did fall, and she activated the Life Alert button.

Arlene ended up in a nursing home. I would visit her, do her hair, and spend time with her. She was in a wheelchair, so I'd take her outside, and we even went to Goodwill a couple of times.

I had the cell phone numbers of her friends I had met. I would call them, and Arlene could chat for a while. Arlene's mind was pretty sharp until the end. She died at the ripe old age of 99.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2