Today, I felt an odd mix of sympathy and confusion as I recalled a recent encounter. A kind-hearted lady, with genuine concern, confided in another woman that she was completely alone, with no one to turn to for help. She explained, in a trembling voice, that her meagre state pension all but vanished on rent and prescription medicine; barely anything was left for food. Out of compassion, a friend ended up paying for some groceries for this poor old grandmother.
Just the other day, I received a call from my childhood friend, who asked if everything was alright with my family. It turned out that her boyfriend had seen my grandmother in a shop by chanceodd, as Gran doesn’t even live near that area.
My grandmother, Edith, remains rather sprightly for her age. She used to be a maths teacher, and even now, her old pupils remember her fondly. But that day, in the shop, my friends boyfriend hadnt seen the energetic Mrs. Edith from years gone by. Instead, hed seen a rather sad and lonely old lady.
Gran quietly told the understanding woman that she was on her own and really needed a bit of help. She saidalmost apologeticallythat her small pension was all eaten up by the rent and her medicines, leaving little to spare for a decent meal. The woman kindly offered to cover the shopping for Edith, this unfortunate grandmother.
Later, my friend bumped into an elderly woman just outside the shop and moved to help, but the old lady briskly told her to go back and quickly walked away. At first, I assumed it was simply a misunderstanding; after all, my friends grandmother is rather well-off and we always help her when needed. But it turned out that this lady simply wanted to buy some groceries herself.
That evening, I went around to see Gran. I didnt want to beat about the bush, so I asked her outright. After her reply, I honestly felt a bit lost about how to act around her.
The truth is, this was a little experiment Id found. I go as far away from home as possible, trying to avoid bumping into anyone I know. Andsurprise, surpriseI ran into my very best friend! So, by sheer coincidence, she became part of my social experiment. Statistically, its successful maybe six times out of ten. The food I get from these encounters on my way back, I donate to the local church rather than keep for myself. So, in a strange way, these people are helping the needy after all.
I still dont quite understand why Gran has developed such an odd enthusiasm in her old age. If youre bored, surely you just get a dog or a hamster? What a shame. My friend made me promise I wouldnt breathe a word of this to anyone and so, for now, itll stay between us.
