Tags
aging, alone, anger, Calgary, caring, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, feeding birds, Hump Day Chronicles, kindness, living in the moment, love, neighbour, Relationships, weak
SHE SPOKE TO ME ONCE on a warm summer day. I was sitting on my balcony drinking coffee. She pointed at the house next door. A yellow notice was fastened to the fence, it said that the property was being re-zoned for business. She didn’t like that, said she wasn’t sure what that would mean for the neighbourhood…
~
I’m guessing she’s well into her 80’s and it would surprise me if she weighs 100 pounds. There’s a nervous energy about her – always looking around and jumpy at the sign of any noise or movement. I have never seen anyone visit her and suspect she is alone in this world.
Truth be told, she has an abrasive way about her. On some days, I have avoided any eye contact, not willing to endure her wrath. I’ve watched her as she drives her car slowly around the block, hazard lights blinking, and stops in the middle of the street in front of my place to the irritation of many a driver behind her. When they honk their horn, she gestures angrily for them to pass. She carefully opens the car door, checks both ways and crosses the street slowly as if unsure of her footing. Holding my breath for fear that she might be hit by a car, I’ve willed her to cross the street quickly in my mind.
Once a man from the city’s parking authority approached her to ask her to move her car off the street. I remember thinking, ‘uh oh, this isn’t gonna be pretty.’ Much to my surprise though, in a strained, airy voice she pleasantly agreed to do so and walked to her car. When he had rounded the corner, she – perhaps in defiance, left her car where it was and fed the birds before returning to her car and driving home.
~
…SHE SHUFFLED CLOSER to my balcony. So frail, she looked like she might tip over – like a gust of wind might knock her down. She told me in a whisper, as if her next words were a secret, that her best friend, who had passed away some time back used to live in my apartment. They used to visit and sprinkle bird seed under that exact tree right in front of my place.
I’d seen her feed the birds many times over the years, even on the coldest days. I knew she lived down the street and had wondered why she didn’t feed them at her place. Now I knew – she was honouring the memory of a friend.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
I saw her again last night. I don’t even know her name. I think I need to rectify that.
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Jean said:
And all it took was an opening friend memory and birdsy conversation from her. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. So simple. 🙂
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sedge808 said:
I love the bird lady.
I want to meet her.
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dianasschwenk said:
I love this response!
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sedge808 said:
🙂
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Beautiful! Everyone of us has a story to tell and something to share, if only we take the time to listen. x
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s so true, isn’t it Jennifer?
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When in New Places said:
I love that you’ve highlighted how amazingly full others become when we find out those little pieces of their story. I really think it’s a lucky thing when others share their truth with us, not everyone will. This is such a lovely example of what wonderful, and unexpected, connections can be made when we least expect it. How beautiful.
~Andrea<3
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Andrea! I love the thought, ‘I really think it’s a lucky thing when others share their truth with us…’ I feel honoured when and hold like a treasure the personal things that people share with me. Often this takes great courage and makes the ‘sharer’ more vulnerable.
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joannerambling said:
Oh what a lovely story
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Joanne!
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elizabeth2560 said:
Oh Dianna! This brought tears to my eyes. Guilt has sprung up that there are so many people around me who are in need and I do not even see them.
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dianasschwenk said:
It was not my intention for anyone to feel guilty Elizabeth. Guilt is one of my least favourite things and I’m not sure it’s even useful. I shared this story because she’s someone I see everyday and have judged on occasion and the other day it was like a revelation to me that I need to change the way I look at her and maybe even engage with her. Maybe conviction is a better word than guilt?
xo
Diana
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elizabeth2560 said:
Yes, I agree. Conviction is better than guilt. Message to self; ‘scrap the word “guilt” from your vocabulary’.
Thanks
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dianasschwenk said:
🙂 !
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artsifrtsy said:
Wow – just beautiful.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Lorri!
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Susan burfurd said:
Beautiful di.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sue! I was just thinking of you last night. Hope all is well.
xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
Oh wow Diana. What a beautiful, heart-wrenching and warming story. Thank you my friend.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise!
xo
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jmgoyder said:
Tears for your incredible wisdom – thank you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jules!
xo
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