People may recall the lady from the village who has been suffering from short term memory loss...she is the lady we had planned to visit on Christmas Day, that was until she received a better offer of a cooked lunch.
Anyhow,ever since then, around three times a week, I have got into the habit of plating her up a portion of lunch or dinner if I have made a little too much for the two of us. It's not much of a job to do, and it gives me an excuse to 'pop in' so to speak, but I had to chuckle to myself on Friday afternoon when I called in all virtuous and worthy with my foil covered plate only to realise that others had already beaten me to it.
A freshly baked cake had pride of place on the kitchen top, a gift from one of the Church ladies and in the fridge was a couple of shop bought puddings.
I was informed that a male neighbour had just left after sorting out a few problems with this and that and as I was just about to leave another villager was arriving with some items requested only that morning from the garage shop.
Such is the uncoordinated good will of the middle aged....
I think there is a fine line to be walked here between being 'helpful' and being an f@€king pious and saintly old fart who is full of their own importance.
I would like to think that most of us hail from the first category but I do in fact possess the self awareness to realise that being a good neighbour makes me feel just that tiniest bit happy and self congratulationary with myself put,more simply...being 'good' makes you feel good....
It's not rocket science.......and yobbos of the this world please take note......
Show an old lady across a road and you manufacture more back slapping endorphins within your brain than ever could be let free by downing two cans of red bull and a few n-cat tablets.
Anyhow,ever since then, around three times a week, I have got into the habit of plating her up a portion of lunch or dinner if I have made a little too much for the two of us. It's not much of a job to do, and it gives me an excuse to 'pop in' so to speak, but I had to chuckle to myself on Friday afternoon when I called in all virtuous and worthy with my foil covered plate only to realise that others had already beaten me to it.
A freshly baked cake had pride of place on the kitchen top, a gift from one of the Church ladies and in the fridge was a couple of shop bought puddings.
I was informed that a male neighbour had just left after sorting out a few problems with this and that and as I was just about to leave another villager was arriving with some items requested only that morning from the garage shop.
Such is the uncoordinated good will of the middle aged....
I think there is a fine line to be walked here between being 'helpful' and being an f@€king pious and saintly old fart who is full of their own importance.
I would like to think that most of us hail from the first category but I do in fact possess the self awareness to realise that being a good neighbour makes me feel just that tiniest bit happy and self congratulationary with myself put,more simply...being 'good' makes you feel good....
It's not rocket science.......and yobbos of the this world please take note......
Show an old lady across a road and you manufacture more back slapping endorphins within your brain than ever could be let free by downing two cans of red bull and a few n-cat tablets.
so here ends the sermon for today
Get out there
And hug a hoodie
It's a simple philosophy isn't it John? If you want to feel good, do good. Keep on preaching!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sister Gray. Nothing wrong with making yourself feel better about yourself by doing good for someone else..
ReplyDeleteHaven't a clue what an N-Cat tablet is but I agree with everything you say. Clearly I still am a work-in-progress as I would rather smack a hoodie than hug it.
ReplyDeleteAnd a good lesson it is too John - I agree there is a fine line, but there is nothing wrong with feeling good at a bit of good you spread in the world - particularly in this weather.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, it all comes back to us...folks have words for this...karma, cast your bread upon the water, what goes 'round comes 'round. Whatever we put "out there" comes back to us; like you, I'm busy doing good stuff and reaping the rewards.
ReplyDeleteABsolutely the bestest lesson ever! There's no shame in feeling good for helping someone else! And how wonderful your neighbour must feel for all the attention, AND a nice cake!!!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm grateful for the neighbour who keeps his eye on my parents. Given thanks he just shrugs it off with a "it's what anybody would do". Well,in these times, it's not.
ReplyDeleteJane x
we MUST share with each other: food, money, time, talents. it's what separates us from the savages out there.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your little old lady is delighted with all the good will. How nice for her!
ReplyDeletePoor old soul is probably thinking these are the truly golden years. You're right John...doing something for someone else is the best high you will ever get.
ReplyDeletePreach it, sista.
ReplyDeleteAnd this, John Gray, is the reason you need to keep that village alive.
ReplyDeleteCindy Bee
I'd wish that 'f@€king pious and saintly old fart who is full of their own importance' would live in my street... Love your post!
ReplyDeleteEls from Amsterdam
I had a giggle over @Elsewhere comment.
ReplyDeleteBetween your village, Weavers and mrsnesbitt's village I think all is well in some parts of the world.
Now I would think you pious and saintly only if there was a scotched egg on that dinner plate !
cheers, parsnip
The Square Ones send woofs to the cousins !
That's the truth Brother John. But I won't be hugging a hoodie anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteOOps I wear a hoodie most days! (it is a tie dyed one, does that count?).
ReplyDeleteI wear hoodies (ermm...I'm 57 and feel the cold) it's as warm as a scarf round the neck. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to say (going all Welsh on your here) There's lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhatever those nuns are taking, can I have some?
ReplyDeleteSounds like the lady from the village will never have to buy food again. Her neighbours are falling over themselves to feed her.
Good for you, John. ♥
ReplyDeletewe can hear and see your halo being squeakin' shiny all the way over here...
ReplyDeletexx
Dear John, before I join your coop of disjointed chickens (I did reserve a place, remember?) in an old age which I hope is another one hundred years away can I please move next to you? I am not given to self pity but will give into it for a minute: There is your neighbour being looked after to excess when I, some two New Year's Eves ago, would have given at least a toe for someone to fetch me some water from the tap. For three days I was delirious with a fever close to death's door. I am good at fevers. But that was something else. I had visions of a pitcher of ice cold water like one of those optical illusions (clue desert/oasis). Actually, luke warm would have done. As my whole system shut down I didn't even have to gather strength to find the bathroom. Please do send tear sodden hanky, Scotch eggs and the address of the nearest estate/letting agent close to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
U
Like Kath, i also wear hoodies. And sweaters. And sometimes sweaters under hoodies, as it's been bloody cold here (well, for here—all last week we didn't any days that made it to 20°F/~-6.5°C).
ReplyDelete