Sunday, July 07, 2013
And the story goes like this.
An old lady approached me at the bus-stop this morning and asked me where block XXX was located.
However, I wasn't familiar with the area. Hence I located it on my googlemaps and directed it to her.
After which, she walked away in the right direction.
As I watched her leave, I noticed that she was limping quite seriously.
Well, I have never been the number-one-kind-hearted-stranger-on-the-road but it was really quite heart-wrenching to see her leave alone like that.
There were quite a few people at the bus-stop but nobody really took notice of her besides this other (chinese) man who kept staring at me, probably thinking if I will take further action.
And I did.
This is probably the most far-fetched aid I provided to a stranger.
I mean, giving up seats, first-aid at public places, returning lost items blah blah. Those are really minor incidents which most people have done too.
However, today, I walked this old lady from the bus-stop, to the traffic light, across the road, down the stairs and up the stairs again... all the way to her house, unlocked her door and helped her in.
You know, all these sound really simple but it was really hard for the old lady with the pain in her leg.
Just the road itself, it took her two cycles of green man to get across with my help.
Seriously, it was quite scary crossing with her because there were so many cars and we were walking so so so slowly, followed up getting stuck right in the middle where many cars were making u-turns and right-turns.
Finally, we got to the other side and we bumped into this other kind lady who asked about old lady's leg condition.
I guess pain in the legs etc. are really common amongst elderly.
Anyway, this kind lady then gave some advice on exercising and also attempted to encourage and motivate the old lady to be more independent and stronger (like getting walking sticks or motorised wheelchair).
Initially she thought I was the granddaughter/daughter so she kept asking me this and that but she quickly discovered I was just another stranger like herself.
After she left, we continued with the stairs and to my own surprise too, I started advising the old lady on what food she should try to avoid and what she should eat more.
It's kinda funny thinking about it because I was never really a believer of such things but after listening to my mum for so many years, I just absorbed the information sub-consciously.
I never knew this may be useful on a day like this, or even the idea of ME, imparting my mum's nagging.
HAHAHAH.
So eventually, we got to the block, up the stairs (because she lived on a low level).
At the door, she couldnt identify the right key to the gate and door so I had to help her find them.
After unlocking the door, I helped her in and wanted to leave but she insisted I come in and have a drink or something.
Out of courtesy, I entered the house and helped her in, switched on the tv and fan for her and after further chit-chatting, I left politely.
In conclusion, I feel really sad for the old lady... for the pain she has to endure, for the lack of love and concern from her family.
According to her, she's living with 2 daughters and one of them worked in a bank.
Hais, so much for working in a bank.
What's the point of earning so much when you are not using your money properly to care for your very own mother?
It's like, they didnt bring her to see any doctor despite the pain that she felt.
Furthermore, they sent her to repay the housing loan when she barely can walk properly.
Daughters and grandchildren alike, keep her at home all the time and do not bring her out for walks because they find it troublesome.
You know, the whole house, so nicely decorated and maintained, but filled with so much sadness and loneliness.
Along the way, the old lady also shared this shocking story with me:
Apparently she has been asking different people to give her medicine but they refused to give it to her.
So she asked if I will give it to her. I replied that I dont know what medicine she want so I cannot give it to her too.
So guess what medicine she wanted?
Poison.
She wanted to be put to sleep and die peacefully.
I cant imagine what kind of pain she is enduring.
i came to shout at 12:38:00 AM
