Heartstrings

"OUR NEIGHBORS'HOMEPLACE"

I haven't done a heartstrings post lately, but my heart strings are being pulled this week and I wanted to share this with you.

This picture shows the farm house down a lane that's located across the road from my home. Sometimes you can't even see it because the farmers plant corn between us. I've lived in this same spot for 30 years and its always been there, out my window. The residents of the farm house are a brother and sister who never married, the youngest of a family with 5 children. They have lived there all their lives. Around here we call houses like this the "home place".

The brother's name is Edison and I'll call his sister Ms. "B". They are getting on in years and their health is failing. All they have is each other and one other sister who is still living. Edison takes Ms. B to church and to get her hair "fixed". He has always bought the groceries, good old southern staples.... Ms. B. never married, held a public job or learned to drive. They both sit on the front porch and watch the goings on in the neighborhood. Ms. B has become more and more housebound of late, not even sitting on the porch much.

My son, Jacob, and Edison have a long running friendship. Edison never had any children, and Jacob seems to have a special feeling for older folks. One of my earliest memories of my son is him seeing Edison driving by in his pickup and hollering, "There goes "Medicine". He thought we were calling Edison, "Medicine". LOL

Two years ago, while sitting on their porch, Edison and Ms. B witnessed Jacob being involved in a wreck right in front of their drive way. He was turning in to visit them and was hit from behind. This impact sent his truck airborne right in front of their eyes. Everyone was terrified until they saw Jacob crawl out the window of his truck. Of course the truck was totaled and it was a while before insurance matters could be settled and a new truck bought. Edison offered Jacob the money to get a new truck. We didn't take the money, but were so touched by the thought.

Jacob and Edison have a lot in common. Both love the land they live on, love farming and country life, love to ride around in their pickup trucks. Edison understands Jacob. They both understand each other.


Last week Edison got to where he couldn't breathe and the rescue squad was called. Unless there is a miracle, Edison won't be coming back. You can see in the picture that his pickup truck is sitting where he left it after his last ride. He also had a stroke and his kidneys are failing now. He has been moved from the regular hospital to another hospital, that seems to be the holding spot for those who can't be helped.

Jacob has visited him in the hospital two times, but we're not sure if Edison knew he was there. Maybe.

I know Jacob's heart is full. It makes me so sad. Life is hard. Things change. Life goes on without those who make a difference in our lives.

I'm so proud of Jacob because he has taken on the task of checking on Ms. B. He goes over there several times a day, goes and gets her some food, checks her mail and is going to get a grocery list from her today and go pick up groceries for her. Last night Chicken Pot Pie was on my menu. It never occurred to me to take her a plate, but it did to Jacob. He fixed her a plate, wrapped it up in foil and took it over riding on his four wheeler.

I am praying for Edison. I will let you know if he comes home...or goes home....