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Post by weaver1 on Nov 25, 2013 23:36:04 GMT
I walk into town every weekday if it is not raining. If it's raining, I take the car. On the way into town whether I am walking or driving I take the same route into town and always pass a bus shelter where, until recently, there were never any people waiting for the bus. And then, 2 or 3 months back, as I was walking past the shelter on the other side of the street, I saw an old man, perhaps my age, (77), or perhaps younger or older, sitting on on of the fold-down seats and leaning on his 2 walking sticks. A bus came along, made to stop, but the man waved it on with a flick of one of his walking sticks. I have seen him doing the same thing many times since probably because I always walk or drive into town at roughly the same time every day.
This morning, I heard a report on TV about Esther Rantzen starting Silverline, a phone-in for older people who find themselves completely alone in the later stages of their lives. Didn't give the report much thought until I was walking into town and saw the old man in his usual place. Without even thinking, I crossed the street to the shelter, said "Hi there, how's you?" and sat down next to him. An hour and a half later I said goodbye after listening to his most interesting life story. I resumed my walk into town. "Will you be passing tomorrow?" he asked. "Yes" I replied, "I'll pop over for another chat if that's all right with you". And I will. I'd just met one of Esther's Silverline lonely, lonely people.
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Post by Anne on Nov 26, 2013 8:12:09 GMT
well done on you weaver  |
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Post by uncleub on Nov 26, 2013 11:55:50 GMT
Nice one Weaver1..  |
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Post by jal on Nov 26, 2013 12:29:19 GMT
I bet he was pleased someone made the effort to speak to him, he'll now be looking forward to meeting you again  |
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Post by nob on Nov 26, 2013 13:04:05 GMT
Good on you, we had an old guy in the house next to us, his wife passed away about 7 years ago, they couldn't have kids although he had a Brother and nieces the only time I saw them was when there was something in it for them.
My Mrs did his washing I looked after the DIY side of the house and dealt with the police when he was robbed an numerous occasions by the scrotes in the flats nearby. He paid another guy to garden, he had an acre of land. He was a rigger on the Lancaster's in WW2 based locally and would tell tales.
It all got too much and he went into a home and passed away on valentines day. The house is now up for sale.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 13:26:46 GMT
Well done Bob a nice tale. We should all take a leaf out of your book and try to do the same. |
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Post by duyuthinkysaurus on Nov 26, 2013 13:53:57 GMT
Thats what is missing in this country at the moment.
Well done!
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Post by Ratae on Nov 26, 2013 15:51:53 GMT
Yep, nice gesture and greatly appreciated I presume. As a matter of fact, I'm banging on a bit and live alone, so if some kind person wants to call in occasionally, then I would be very grateful. Especially if the aforementioned kindly person is of the female gender, possibly one who is good with a steam iron and can handle a dyson like Seb Vettel handles a racing car, wouldn't do no harm if she was a bit of a looker either!  Yep, she would be very welcome, I could always ring her from the pub, just to let her know when I'd be home. Oh yes...very welcome indeed! Ratty, the lonely old fella. |
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Post by weaver1 on Nov 28, 2013 11:09:57 GMT
Yesterday heard how his son hasn't spoken for 9 years, since he, my new friend, reprimanded his daughter-in-law for slapping his grandson in the face. I am well aware that there are two sides to every story I cannot but feel really sad for the man.
I have also created a problem for myself because when I go into town shortly, I wont be taking the same route because I would find it difficult to pass without stopping and I really cant stop by every day. Still, I will stop for a chat on occasion and hopefully get a couple of friends to do the same.
I feel that the guy really does need help but I am not qualified to give such help. Would Social Workers welcome a word from me or would they consider me an interfering old busybody?
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Post by Ratae on Nov 28, 2013 12:25:43 GMT
Nope, any social services dept worth it's salt, should welcome information from concerned citizens. In fact I'd always assumed that this was how they got their info in the first place. Anyway, the worst that could happen is that you're told to 'sod off'.....and that's not going to effect the problems of a lonely old fella is it?  Go for it! |
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Post by nob on Nov 28, 2013 13:50:57 GMT
Worth a call to social services. I found an old guy leaning on a privet hedge last winter he was freezing. He lived in some bungalows belonging to the council. He wanted to go for his pension to the local PO. He wasn't steady on his feet so I helped him to the shop, ambulance called, turns out he had had a stroke and was put into care.
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Post by weaver1 on Nov 28, 2013 16:30:34 GMT
Told them that he is always there on dry days and social worker will be 'passing by chance' tomorrow. Good result.
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Post by addie on Nov 28, 2013 16:30:46 GMT
Hey Rats, have a heart.....change the colour of those little yellow foot notes!! Because every time I lean forward to read them I get a crick in the neck. For an old 'un like me, I have to watch it!  |
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Post by Ratae on Nov 28, 2013 17:34:34 GMT
Hey Rats, have a heart.....change the colour of those little yellow foot notes!! Because every time I lean forward to read them I get a crick in the neck. For an old 'un like me, I have to watch it! Ok Addie, I know how you feel pal, 'cos I get a pain in the arse when I read Smudger's posts!  Ratty the considerate. |
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Post by addie on Nov 30, 2013 18:28:31 GMT
Hey Rats, have a heart.....change the colour of those little yellow foot notes!! Because every time I lean forward to read them I get a crick in the neck. For an old 'un like me, I have to watch it! Ok Addie, I know how you feel pal, 'cos I get a pain in the arse when I read Smudger's posts! Ratty the considerate. |
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