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In the short time since they’d moved in together, she had learned things about living with Grace.
It seemed peculiar to her that even after a lifetime friendship, there was so much she’d never known (or noticed) about Grace.
Grace snored. Good thing they each had their own small bedroom in her (well, “their”) apartment. It had taken them weeks to get Grace’s belongings moved downstairs, straightened out, and rearranged..., several times. Finally, they called it quits on the furniture moving. Her little office/study had been converted into a bright and airy sleeping room where Grace could enjoy some quiet time, and do her snoring. At least it was quiet(er) while Grace was awake.
They’d begun taking walks down the hill into “downtown” nearly every other day. Since the weather had finally turned from constant gray and cold, to a slightly more hospitable gray and mild. With each trip it seemed Graces hip (and outlook) improved. Their rests along the way were still numerous, but not as lengthy as last year. It brightened her spirits to see Grace once again able to smile and greet old friends they bumped into on these little excursions.
Grace was not good with money. Since they’d become full time roommates, they’d begun pooling their money to keep the monthly housing expenses paid. Those expenses were much less now that Grace no longer had that apartment upstairs.
But it had taken only the first two months together to see that she’d have to “handle” all her and Graces financial affairs.
One thing she'd insisted on was that they maintain only one telephone between them in their shared apartment. Reviewing financial records Grace brought along when they set up housekeeping, it’d taken awhile to determine how Grace always had an unexplained (growing) phone bill that ran into the hundreds of dollars!
With no children to call and only that one (no good) nephew who lived across town, Grace had still had to change phone companies often. Admitting she’d rarely “kept up” with the billings anyway, she agreed to one phone line.
Turned out the explanation was an easy one. That nephew had dropped by several times during their first month together. Each time, he’d gone off into the other room for a spell. The phone bill that came in the mail, showed he’d been on “their” phone most of the time he “visited” his favorite aunt.
She didn’t tell him to stop dropping by..., but unknown to Grace, their telephone disappeared into her purse whenever he “visited”. He didn’t visit as often now.
Grace was easily taken advantage of. Not that she didn’t realize, it was just that her attitude reflected her name. Grace was quick to offer whatever she had, to anyone nearby. That nephew lived nearby, but he wasn’t the only one taking advantage! When they went over checkbooks to see where they could consolidate, she’d made another discovery.
Grace was (almost) on a first name basis with every charity organization imaginable.
Initially it hurt Graces feelings, when she told her that giving away nearly a third of her monthly social security check each month to “charities” might not be the best way to “help” people? Getting Grace directly involved with local charity groups had made all the difference!
They started serving dinner to their fellow seniors down at the senior center. They began taking the old sedan out three days a week, delivering meals on wheels. She’d even convinced Grace that dropping a few bills in the plate at church allowed her to actually see her good intentions doing good things, right there in town!
Grace was always cheerful. Living what most would consider an obscure life, this unremarkable woman had unwittingly brought joy into the lives of many! Yet she’d remained blissfully unaware of it. She’d given of herself and her time freely for so many years. The flowers from her little garden, sweets from her oven, clothes repaired with that old Singer machine, had touched hundreds down through those years.
Grace was sharing rooms with her friend now.
But her friend was learning anew what it meant, to actually live with Grace. Sure, it was extra work, “keeping the books” for the two of them (not that it was “high finance” managing the meager funds from their two social security checks).
Graces’ example of living was being refined in her friend. Discovering just how much they could “give” together, was amazing! (and no work at all).
I Don’t Know About You..., If we All lived with Grace, how much could We learn about giving?
Cal Teeple, often found three stools down, is founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium. He may also be found At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be accosted, ignored or contacted at all three places.
In the short time since they’d moved in together, she had learned things about living with Grace.
It seemed peculiar to her that even after a lifetime friendship, there was so much she’d never known (or noticed) about Grace.
Grace snored. Good thing they each had their own small bedroom in her (well, “their”) apartment. It had taken them weeks to get Grace’s belongings moved downstairs, straightened out, and rearranged..., several times. Finally, they called it quits on the furniture moving. Her little office/study had been converted into a bright and airy sleeping room where Grace could enjoy some quiet time, and do her snoring. At least it was quiet(er) while Grace was awake.
They’d begun taking walks down the hill into “downtown” nearly every other day. Since the weather had finally turned from constant gray and cold, to a slightly more hospitable gray and mild. With each trip it seemed Graces hip (and outlook) improved. Their rests along the way were still numerous, but not as lengthy as last year. It brightened her spirits to see Grace once again able to smile and greet old friends they bumped into on these little excursions.
Grace was not good with money. Since they’d become full time roommates, they’d begun pooling their money to keep the monthly housing expenses paid. Those expenses were much less now that Grace no longer had that apartment upstairs.
But it had taken only the first two months together to see that she’d have to “handle” all her and Graces financial affairs.
One thing she'd insisted on was that they maintain only one telephone between them in their shared apartment. Reviewing financial records Grace brought along when they set up housekeeping, it’d taken awhile to determine how Grace always had an unexplained (growing) phone bill that ran into the hundreds of dollars!
With no children to call and only that one (no good) nephew who lived across town, Grace had still had to change phone companies often. Admitting she’d rarely “kept up” with the billings anyway, she agreed to one phone line.
Turned out the explanation was an easy one. That nephew had dropped by several times during their first month together. Each time, he’d gone off into the other room for a spell. The phone bill that came in the mail, showed he’d been on “their” phone most of the time he “visited” his favorite aunt.
She didn’t tell him to stop dropping by..., but unknown to Grace, their telephone disappeared into her purse whenever he “visited”. He didn’t visit as often now.
Grace was easily taken advantage of. Not that she didn’t realize, it was just that her attitude reflected her name. Grace was quick to offer whatever she had, to anyone nearby. That nephew lived nearby, but he wasn’t the only one taking advantage! When they went over checkbooks to see where they could consolidate, she’d made another discovery.
Grace was (almost) on a first name basis with every charity organization imaginable.
Initially it hurt Graces feelings, when she told her that giving away nearly a third of her monthly social security check each month to “charities” might not be the best way to “help” people? Getting Grace directly involved with local charity groups had made all the difference!
They started serving dinner to their fellow seniors down at the senior center. They began taking the old sedan out three days a week, delivering meals on wheels. She’d even convinced Grace that dropping a few bills in the plate at church allowed her to actually see her good intentions doing good things, right there in town!
Grace was always cheerful. Living what most would consider an obscure life, this unremarkable woman had unwittingly brought joy into the lives of many! Yet she’d remained blissfully unaware of it. She’d given of herself and her time freely for so many years. The flowers from her little garden, sweets from her oven, clothes repaired with that old Singer machine, had touched hundreds down through those years.
Grace was sharing rooms with her friend now.
But her friend was learning anew what it meant, to actually live with Grace. Sure, it was extra work, “keeping the books” for the two of them (not that it was “high finance” managing the meager funds from their two social security checks).
Graces’ example of living was being refined in her friend. Discovering just how much they could “give” together, was amazing! (and no work at all).
I Don’t Know About You..., If we All lived with Grace, how much could We learn about giving?
Cal Teeple, often found three stools down, is founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium. He may also be found At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be accosted, ignored or contacted at all three places.
