Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Happyone meets Harry

30 degrees this morning and I saw the sun come up but then it went to hide behind the clouds but every once in a while some blue sky would appear for a short time.
Walked around the farm loop but in the opposite direction I usually walk because I stopped off at the Post Office and dropped some mail in the slot.  When I got back to the main road, I and got to the welcome to town sign I noted my mileage and continued walking along here,
walked right through town
and out the other end and walked to the other welcome to town sign.  Checked mileage again and it was 1.1 miles.
Then I turned around and came back in town.  Walked a road parallel to the main road and then took a little side street which is where Lone Chicken lives.  Walked passed there to see how they were all getting on.  LC and one of the red ones were in one part of the coop busily eating and seeming good together.  The others were in the other part just standing there doing nothing.  One of the red ones had found a spot in the very corner and had made her own little nest away from everyone.  

Saw one other walker but she was too far ahead to say hi to.
I walked 6 miles - 11.972 steps.
Found a nickel and a penny.  I'm starting to find coins again and this month is going to end up being pretty good.
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After doing a few things around the house I put some cookies in a bag and headed out to the nursing home to meet Harry.   

He was in the therapy room when I got there but the lady at the desk said to just go there.  So down the hall I went and when I got there he was just finishing up.  He doesn't have the use of his legs and told me he was born that way but we walked back to his room!  He uses crutches and moves along very slowly by moving the crutches along and then he kind of drags his legs, moves the crutches again, drags his legs and just continues on in that way.  It looks exhausting but he insists on doing it on his own.

We visited as we walked down two long hallways.  As we went down the hall,  Harry had some kind word to say to everyone who passed us along the way.  Joked with some of the nurses and other people there visiting.  I met Jay, a man who drops by every week to 'just look in' on some of the residents.

Of course I brought Harry some chocolate chip cookies. I made sure with the nurses that it would be alright before giving them to him.

When it was time for me to leave, Harry asked if he could say a prayer before I left.  He thanked God for bringing me to visit him and for his many blessings.

I learned quite a bit about Harry already and know that I will be visiting him long after Christmas has come and gone. : )

The nursing home is old and seems like a hospital and does have some of the residents sitting in  wheel chairs in front of the rooms not doing anything and I know I wouldn't want to have to live there.  BUT it is clean and doesn't smell and the nurses and helpers that I saw all had friendly smiles and a nice thing to say as they passed the residents.
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My car is REALLY DIRTY and I was going to wash it when I got home but it was just barely 40 degrees and I just didn't feel like it.  So I went inside and had lunch instead.

Just home this afternoon doing a little of this and that around the house.

Hope your day is sunny and bright.
happyone : )
I try to be grateful for the abundance 
of the blessings that I have,
for the journey that I'm on 
and to relish each and every day as a gift.
~ James McGreevey

11 comments:

Happy@Home said...

I so enjoyed reading about your first meeting with Harry. I could just picture the 2 of you walking down the halls. He seems very determined to walk despite his limitations.
I got teary when you told about the prayer he said before you left. I am reminded again of the blessing you are to so many others.

Deb J. in Utah said...

I know that Harry is happy to have a new friend! I have been looking for a senior care center that is sponsoring "adopt a senior" for Christmas and cannot find one anywhere around here. The only thing is a tree with gift requests at the Walgreens but I am like you and would much rather personally deliver and meet someone than just buy something and give it to a clerk at the store. Maybe I am just not such a trusting soul, but I always wonder if all those "gifts" donated at the Walmart and Walgreens really make it to the people in need. Oh well, I do love this story and it made me happy. I know we will be able to find someone to help and befriend this Christmas season! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful evening!

Nellie said...

What a wonderful post today! I really loved hearing about your meeting with Harry! You are doing a very special thing, and it will make a difference in his life! Blessings to you!

Vee said...

Sweet story of your meeting Harry. I smiled through the whole thing and only sniffed a little when reading it aloud to John. God bless Harry and God bless you!

Cheryl said...

You're doing such a wonderful thing for Harry. Your life will be better because of it too. I see how much visitors mean to residents every time I visit my parents. I'm sure you'll become a recognizable visitor to everyone there before you know it.

Every time I find money when I'm walking I think of you. One day I found a dollar bill!

I posted today. Don't faint!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm proud of you for sticking with Harry during this rough time. The cookies are an added blessing. You just keep on being a friend to those around you. You are very special! Mary Jo

Beth said...

I loved this post Karen. You have such a good heart. I enjoyed reading about your visit with Harry. He sounds like such a nice guy!

Kerri Farley said...

This post made me cry Karen. You are such a special person!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I have to admit - this made me very emotional. You are a wonderfully kind soul...

Retired Knitter said...

I am so glad you found a way to spread your happiness to an elderly person. There aren't enough folks like you for those in nursing homes.

o2bhiking said...

What a nice thing it is that you are doing. You are a special grace in his life. It is sobering as easily and strongly as you walk to see someone who struggles so. You are a good person. Art