Page 48 - Summer 2019 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Next-Door

Friendship

by Mary Gerlach

ccording to the dictionary,
a neighbor is “one living
Aor located near another.”
Actually, a neighbor is so much
more. Neighbors offer support and
connection. They often know of
your needs even before your family
does. They help combat loneliness.
In fact, they can become like family.

Hellen and Pat have been neighbors
to each other for six years. Both
grew up on the South Plains and
moved around as adults. Pat
ultimately moved to Lubbock
from Plainview and Hellen from had lived in Lorenzo, having many come from the community office.
Ralls. They met in the senior living common connections from there. Currently, Pat is having trouble
community where they live. Even In fact, one of their friends was an walking, so Hellen picks up Pat’s
though they only met six years attendant in both Pat’s wedding and mail and takes Pat’s trash to the
ago, they have a lot in common. Hellen’s brother’s wedding. Since dumpster. Hellen has started
Listening to them, they sound like that time, they have become fast using a walker that she has named
sisters; it is as if they have known friends. They seem to know what Rebecca. They both use Rebecca to
each other forever. They even know the other is thinking as they visit help move heavier items around.
a lot of the same people. and finish each other’s sentences.
They talk about how they rely on For Hellen and Pat, neighbors are
When Pat and Hellen first met, they each other. Hellen’s sight is very more than just people who live near
quickly discovered that, although poor, so Pat reads things to Hellen them. They have many neighbors
not at the same time, they both like her mail and notifications that in their senior living community.

48 Lubbock Senior Link