When we first moved to Lincoln Hills, some eleven years ago, our neighborhood ranged in age from early 60s to mid 70s. Then many of the neighbors gaily decorated their houses, hanging lights from the eaves.
Now we are older, some of us have passed away, and most of those who remain no longer feel comfortable climbing on ladders. While some hire others to hang their lights and a few intrepid souls still climb on ladders, many now hang their lights on the shrubbery or simply hang a wreath on the door.
We meet around the mailbox and talk about our ailments as we wonder about the golden years. In truth, though, most of us have had them. They were the years from 60 to 70 or 75. Age is catching up to us though and we think of the three, all in their 80s, who we lost in our neighborhood this year. We wonder, who will be next?
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8 comments:
Touching explanation about why the decorations are changing in your neighborhood. Really made me stop and think. Lovely pictures!
Beautiful and seasonal photos!
and change is the one constant we have and it all seems to go by in a blink!
Wishing you the magic and love the season, xox
artmusedog and carol
Oh that is so touching, and we appreciate that you can still make the decors despite the circumstances. That is not the situation we have here in our country, because we normally have extended families and it is not uncommon to have 3 generations in one house. Just like ours, my mother is 86 widowed, and we still have my sister and 2 college kids living with us. Although we siblings are living away, we still go home on weekends or those abroad always come home on Christmas. It is happier to be retired here because of the helpers that we can always get to help the elderly. Oh my heart goes to you and the neighborhood people. Merry Christmas.
The lights at night are so pretty. It would be nice if p young people volunteered to put up the decorations for the elderly in the neighborhood. Have a happy week!
The Christmas lights are beautiful... and I went and helped my Mum put hers up this year as she has a bad hip
mollyxxx
Yes. We live half the year in an "adult" park here in Florida ... And that's definitely the downside. First week back, many of our conversations have been about those neighbors whom we lost or who are too ill to travel over the summer. But we do have much more in common with those who are left than say in our " mixed neighborhood" in Oregon! It's a dilemma ! Hope you two are as well as its possible to be and that you have a good Holiday Season. ( we did just get here after a cross country Roadtrek trip. You will relate I am sure!)
I am very late to the Christmas party, but I certainly can empathize. We have changed our way of celebrating over the years as you may well imagine, but being in a different neighborhood makes us feel less guilty about doing little. Happy New Year! (Also, it was very interesting reading the comment from Andrea above ... I can't imagine living like that, but I guess our independence has definitely cost us something!)
I, too, read Andrea's comments. I think North Americans have lost something along the way. Something to ponder.
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