Everyone wants to be healthy and luckily I believe I am in pretty good shape. But, a really interesting thing is happening in the neighborhood — mostly with Mrs. Hildebrand and Miss Bessie.
For those who have read The Gratitude Journal for a while, you will remember my first impression of Mrs. Hildebrand. Quite honestly, I was not exactly one of her biggest fans. Maybe I had given up. That was a lesson learned, for sure. As many times as I had invited her to one thing or another — and others had done the same — she stayed inside her house behind the curtain, always peeking out the window as life passed her by. Let me be clear about this. No one disliked her. But, for years she had lived the life of a recluse, at least as far as the neighbors were concerned.
Then, the kids got involved. I suppose they taught us all a lesson. Don’t take “no” for an answer. I have decided that sometimes we go into things with preconceived notions. And, I suppose as often as we — the AARP-ers — asked Mrs. Hildebrand to go to one thing or another, we really didn’t expect her to go. Our invitations were a courtesy. I am really ashamed of that attitude — at least on my part. But, the kids were far more focused. When they decided to get Mrs. Hildebrand out from behind the curtain, they were not going to take “no” for the answer. In fact, I have often wondered if they would have rolled her out in a hospital bed — had she been so disposed.
I’m thinking now that the neighborhood kids, with all their spirit and energy, stirred something inside the older woman. Anyway, once Mrs. Hildebrand came out of the house she has been reluctant to go back inside. She and Miss Bessie were the last to leave last night!
So, this brings me to the point. Mrs. Hildebrand used to say that she felt too bad to go out or that she didn’t want to go out. And, sometimes she did not answer her door, preferring to peek through the window at those of us who were ringing her doorbell. About the only “visitor” she would open her door for was the delivery man from the pharmacy — who was a regular, bringing new medicines to cure what ailed her.
I guess “what ailed her” did not need medication, but needed friendship and activities. Well, I guess the pharmacy is feeling the hit. The delivery man has not been seen on our street in months. Mrs. Hildebrand is now proud to say that she needs no medication. By the way, Miss Bessie only takes a diuretic from time to time for swelling feet.
So, what happened? Did an eighty something year old woman cure herself? Or, did all her “diseases” just vanish? She does not even use the walker any longer. In fact, she has a bit of spring in her step these days. And, yes! Her legs must be just fine. She passed by this morning in that Mini-Cooper — with a stick shift, no less.
The other day while I was visiting Mrs. Hildebrand she received a phone call from a friend. I insisted that she take the call and excused myself to the next room. But, I could not help but overhear her end of the conversation — at least, in part. Apparently, her friend was complaining about one thing or another. Mrs. Hildebrand kept telling her friend that she needed to “get out more” and “live rather than exist.” The conversation continued with “I am as healthy as a horse and eating like one, too.” (I will second the “eating like a horse” comment.)
When the conversation ended I asked Mrs. Hildebrand if she had stopped all her medications. Oh, no! She is addicted to one medicine she said. She is addicted to life. And, the finishing touch to her conversation was, “I really do not like talking to her. She’s so old.”
“How old is she?”
“She’s 71!”
I have to admit that I laughed out loud. After all, Mrs. Hildebrand is almost 90. But then I thought about it. I’m 60. And, I’m left to wonder if I will be old when I’m 71 or if I will be young when I reach my late 80′s. Sometimes good health is a matter of attitude, activity, and living each and everyday.
Today I am thankful for my good health — and the good health of Mrs. Hildebrand and Miss Bessie.
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