Dear Editor,
As we approach maturity, most of us are faced with various issues such as health, retirement, where to live and yes loneliness, as some of us find ourselves living single, be it by choice or sheer fate. Isolation is a frightening prospect and sadly a rather common occurrence. We deal with these realities on a very personal level, some reaching out, others remaining more private, some simply not wishing to impose on anyone.
The importance of keeping in touch
Yet and thankfully all of that can be addressed by all of us simply being aware of someone we may know that lives alone, that may no longer be able to drive, that is in poor health or may be a victim of today’s dreadful economics. We can certainly call them and check on them thus just maybe prevent a tragedy, which brings the core of this subject to light via this article if only in a small way.
You see, I have been privileged to know and call a friend and a remarkable lady whose first daily chore is to call at least four if not more individuals who live alone! She refers to it as “Checking on them, making sure they are well and up and about!” She has been faithfully doing this for years. Just this past January of 2011, she could not reach one of them, thought perhaps he was visiting with friends or family. But when the very next morning there was no answer to her call, she immediately knew whom to contact. Sadly her worst fears were realized when she learned that he had fallen and could not get up to summon help. Thank God he was taken to the hospital, where he was checked out and dismissed that very afternoon. I shudder to think what the outcome might have been, had this wonderful lady not been persistent and taken it upon her self to go that extra mile, thus quite possibly saving a life! What a blessing and inspiration she is and what an incentive to all of us to be more mindful of those we know live alone.
Well, the great unselfish lady is your neighbor, our church member, countless Appling Countians were fortunate to have her as their teacher, she is a mom, a grandmother, twice great-grandmother, she is your friend and mine, she is the one and only WANDA AMMONS!!
Wanda thinks what she does is a must and yes, prompts all of us to do the same. Advice well taken by all of us, I am sure!
Lastly, Ms. Ammons also suggests that churches include and form a committee that checks on their mature members in their communities. As Wanda puts it - “all it takes is a 2-3 minute phone call.” Amen!
In conclusion, it is with pride and honor I bring this heart-warming story to light to be shared by all! Let us all be reminded how very little it takes to do a whole lot of good, thus making our world a bit better, our community a great place to call home, and all of us much closer.
So my dear friend Wanda, I am certain I speak not just for myself as I so thank you!
Respectfully,
Helen Samardjich
You see, I have been privileged to know and call a friend and a remarkable lady whose first daily chore is to call at least four if not more individuals who live alone! She refers to it as “Checking on them, making sure they are well and up and about!” She has been faithfully doing this for years. Just this past January of 2011, she could not reach one of them, thought perhaps he was visiting with friends or family. But when the very next morning there was no answer to her call, she immediately knew whom to contact. Sadly her worst fears were realized when she learned that he had fallen and could not get up to summon help. Thank God he was taken to the hospital, where he was checked out and dismissed that very afternoon. I shudder to think what the outcome might have been, had this wonderful lady not been persistent and taken it upon her self to go that extra mile, thus quite possibly saving a life! What a blessing and inspiration she is and what an incentive to all of us to be more mindful of those we know live alone.
Well, the great unselfish lady is your neighbor, our church member, countless Appling Countians were fortunate to have her as their teacher, she is a mom, a grandmother, twice great-grandmother, she is your friend and mine, she is the one and only WANDA AMMONS!!
Wanda thinks what she does is a must and yes, prompts all of us to do the same. Advice well taken by all of us, I am sure!
Lastly, Ms. Ammons also suggests that churches include and form a committee that checks on their mature members in their communities. As Wanda puts it - “all it takes is a 2-3 minute phone call.” Amen!
In conclusion, it is with pride and honor I bring this heart-warming story to light to be shared by all! Let us all be reminded how very little it takes to do a whole lot of good, thus making our world a bit better, our community a great place to call home, and all of us much closer.
So my dear friend Wanda, I am certain I speak not just for myself as I so thank you!
Respectfully,
Helen Samardjich
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