We are often confused by the behaviour of people, but sometimes the way we behave can ultimately save a person. I found this out recently and I feel today is a good day to share it with you.
I grew up in a small village where everyone knew each other’s business, often before you knew your own. I enjoyed my childhood, but there were times I found it suffocating. So many busy bodies in a remote area never really giving you the chance to breath, and it came to no surprise when an old lady moved into the vacant cottage opposite my house that everyone wanted to know about her.
There was only one problem though, she didn’t want to talk to anyone, and it really rubbed the locals up the wrong way. People often wondered about the old lady in the house. They would see her most days pottering about, watering her flowers, getting her shopping, and sitting in her rocking chair in the lounge doing her knitting. She never seemed lonely, but was always alone. Neighbours tried to embrace her but she would just smile and decline any form of contact. Of course, there was that rumour about her being a witch and putting spells on people, but I never believed them.
I remember walking home from college one afternoon and she was hovering outside her front door. Despite my parents telling me to stay away from her because she was “a bit odd”, she looked like she needed help. As it turned out, she had dropped her key on the floor and was in too much pain with her back to bend down and pick it up. She told me I was the first person of many during that hour and a half of her trying that actually stopped to help. I wanted to get her into her house, purely for curiosity than anything else, but she couldn’t have closed the door quickly enough. Resigned to the fact she just wanted to be alone, I turned around and went home. All the kids in the village thought I caught some kind of disease from her because by coincidence, I fell ill days afterwards. Turned out it was just a sickness bug, but that didn’t stop the small minds from thinking it was more.
Every time I saw her after that I always waved, but she just smiled and turned away. At weekends when I baked cupcakes I would box some up for her with a note and leave it on her doorstep. I never bothered to wait for her to answer the door because she always ignored anyone that arrived, but she always accepted them because I used to watch, sometimes for hours, to see she got them. Then every Christmas I sent her a card, and even after I moved house I still continued with the cakes and greetings. People thought I was stupid for it because she never said thank you, but that wasn’t why I did it.
Three weeks ago I got a telephone call from my mum to tell me the old lady had passed away. She realised something was wrong when my parcel of cupcakes were still sitting outside the front door two days after they were delivered. She called the police who found her lying in bed, clutching a photograph, of what I now know was the man she loved. I still get shivers whenever I recall that conversation, but then yesterday morning I received a letter in the post which must have been found by those tidying her house. The letter read:
My Dearest Annabelle
If you are reading this then it means the inevitable has happened. You may wonder why I have chosen now for you to understand this, but I want to share it with you because I feel I owe it to you. I have watched you with much happiness over the last 10 years grow into a beautiful young lady, so caring, so kind, so thoughtful. A year before I moved to Cloverlane cottage, my husband, Walter, lost his battle with cancer. He was the love of my life, always made me smile, always cared for me, always looked after me…and always loved when I baked for him. Before he passed he made me one promise – that wherever I go, he will always be there looking after me.
I chose Cloverlane because it was a quiet area - I never thought for one moment I would create such a stir. It seems that despite the quaint village setting, it was full of some sinister and rather vicious people who refused to believe that behind the person, was an old woman; longing for the man she had lost. That was until you came along. You never judged me, never forced me to talk, but you were always there, sending me notes and leaving me gifts. I cried for hours the day I found your cupcakes on my front porch. I couldn’t believe it because you made them just the way I used to make them for Walter: vanilla sponge with white icing. I realised then he was right – he was there for me, only his spirit chose you.
You brought so much happiness back into my life, and I am so grateful. You helped me to see that despite my loss and sadness, love still surrounded me. I enjoyed so much receiving the photos of your wedding, and cried once more when you told me you are expecting your first child. Knowing you have that makes me so happy, because you deserve it. Don’t ever lose the person you are because you are beautiful and so special.
Take care my darling, and I will continue now what my Walter told me. Wherever you go, I will always be there looking after you.
All my love
Ethel
That was the first time I found out the old lady’s name. I never realised I had such an impact on her life but knowing I did has made me so happy. I attended her funeral at St Mark’s Church back in the village, along with my parents. It seemed, despite their initial attitude, seeing what I did for her made them proud of me. There weren’t many people there that day but she wouldn’t have expected there to be because despite my caring for her, she still never let anyone else in. Although I never got the chance to really get to know Ethel, since her death, I feel like I know more about her now than I did before.
Perception is a powerful thing. You never really know a person unless they let you in. I don’t know why I continued to stay in touch with Ethel, or even why I started. Perhaps on some deeper scale I was fed up with the perception that my friends and family had of her, and the thought of turning out like that scared me.
I guess what I’m trying to say to you all is don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t be that sheep and follow the crowd, be your own person. Your future is in your hands now so don’t let it pass you by. Grab it with both hands and enjoy it. Be the strong individuals you have become, don’t succumb to gossip and rumour, and don’t be that person creating the gossip and those rumours. Love the people close to you, share the moments because there will be some incredible ones to remember, but most of all, keep a look out for that person who needs you, because somewhere along your path they will be there, and that will be your chance to really shine. I have faith in you class of 2012.
Be strong, be wise but most of all, be happy.
********************************
Putting the piece of paper down and taking in a deep breath, I looked at my husband and could see his tears.
“What do you think?”
Standing up from his chair, he took me in his arms and kissed me.
“I love you” he said “and so will those kids when they hear that story. You are an inspiration, Mrs Andrews.”
