When returning home after walking to Mona Vale to purchase a few groceries and collect our mail at the post office, we met our neighbour, Bill walking toward Mona Vale. In February, this 80+ year old neighbour tried to paint the side of his house not long after we moved into our house, the first time. He is very independent, lives alone, and couldn't reach the peak of the dormer so piled a step ladder on a table. Unfortunately, the legs of the table gave way, he fell, broke his wrist, several ribs, and probably had a concussion but walked to the hospital across the street. At that point, we exchanged phone numbers and encouraged him to call next time or just yell till we heard. He had a cast on his arm for a few months and had sore ribs for about that long as well.
When we saw him Thursday, and showed him my cast, he laughed. After apologizing for laughing, he said that it made him feel good to know that he wasn't the only one to fall. He went on to say that he had lost his nerve after his fall and hadn't even gone out much. My broken hand gave him the courage to try more things, again.
In our weakness, we encourage others to be strong.
Mark offered to paint the peak of Bill's dormer, in a month or so, when we borrow an extension ladder from our friends to paint our entryway. We will see if he will let Mark but we can at least offer a safer alternative to a ladder on a table top.
In NZ
13 years ago
1 comment:
This post made me laugh in recognition. My husband has also been at home for 5 weeks with a broken ankle after being hit by a car. But we are just completely grateful that it was only his ankle! Recovery is going well.
I enjoy checking your blog from time to time. :)
Fiona HR
Post a Comment