Post by Admin on Jan 12, 2017 10:25:26 GMT -7
A Neighbor in Need - How Will Our Community Respond?
For the last month one long term resident of High South Glastonbury has been trapped in her house by deep snow. She lives just past SpecTec on upper Hercules. Frances has had a difficult year. She is recovering from hip surgery and recently was divorced. Her access to Upper Hercules is via a very steep, 1/2 mile long and winding driveway. Absent a husband and extra funds Frances has not been able to afford to plow her driveway this year. As of January 11th the snow and ice is two feet deep on her driveway and the drifts are up to 4 feet tall.
Frances has many friends who have graciously helped her through her difficult times. For the past month I have assisted by picking up her mail, bringing food to her and hauling away her trash. Once a week I snow shoe to her home and tow a sled full of food, mail and supplies behind me that her friends have gathered for her.
Frances has many friends who have graciously helped her through her difficult times. For the past month I have assisted by picking up her mail, bringing food to her and hauling away her trash. Once a week I snow shoe to her home and tow a sled full of food, mail and supplies behind me that her friends have gathered for her.
Weekly "Meals and mail on a sled" to a neighbor in need.
Frances is in good spirits even though the only other human she has seen in person for over a month has been me. She has two faithful dogs for company and converses with friends via email and her phone. Her spirits are good but I am sad.
Two weeks before Christmas I emailed one of her neighbors and asked if he would plow her driveway. I explained that she needed to get supplies and go to the doctor's office. Frances needed an x-ray taken to check on her hip and make sure it was healing properly. The neighbor has plowed her difficult driveway before and thus was familiar with it. I received a lengthy email response that emphatically stated "NO". A few weeks later I tried again and received the same emphatic, negative answer. Many neighbors are aware of Frances' plight but still she remains trapped in her house.
I do not understand how anyone can refuse to help a neighbor in need. Some "spiritual" folks have told me that it is all about karma. If a person has good karma then everyone will help them. If a person is perceived as having negative karma then it is acceptable to simply ignore them.
I see the situation differently. For me, every human being is sacred and equal. All people are deserving of respect and assistance when needed. My parents taught me to treat women kindly and especially help those who are unable to completely take care of themselves. My Mom told me that all people are blessed but some have more blessings than others. Those who have more should share some of what they have with those who have less or are simply down on their luck.
We are a community and anyone's luck can change overnight. Many residents live alone and are past the age of retirement. Should we ignore them if we do not like them?
Today I ask everyone who reads this to consider my plea; could someone please plow her driveway so Frances can visit a doctor, pick up supplies and enjoy the company of her friends?
Two weeks before Christmas I emailed one of her neighbors and asked if he would plow her driveway. I explained that she needed to get supplies and go to the doctor's office. Frances needed an x-ray taken to check on her hip and make sure it was healing properly. The neighbor has plowed her difficult driveway before and thus was familiar with it. I received a lengthy email response that emphatically stated "NO". A few weeks later I tried again and received the same emphatic, negative answer. Many neighbors are aware of Frances' plight but still she remains trapped in her house.
I do not understand how anyone can refuse to help a neighbor in need. Some "spiritual" folks have told me that it is all about karma. If a person has good karma then everyone will help them. If a person is perceived as having negative karma then it is acceptable to simply ignore them.
I see the situation differently. For me, every human being is sacred and equal. All people are deserving of respect and assistance when needed. My parents taught me to treat women kindly and especially help those who are unable to completely take care of themselves. My Mom told me that all people are blessed but some have more blessings than others. Those who have more should share some of what they have with those who have less or are simply down on their luck.
We are a community and anyone's luck can change overnight. Many residents live alone and are past the age of retirement. Should we ignore them if we do not like them?
Today I ask everyone who reads this to consider my plea; could someone please plow her driveway so Frances can visit a doctor, pick up supplies and enjoy the company of her friends?
