Growing Older

Holidays for seniors are sometimes lonely

It's cold, and ice coats the walk outside. 

Bundled in coat, mittens and cap, I slowly make my way out the door.

The walker gets lodged against the screen,

Hampering the journey;

Grab bars in the doorway preventing a fall.

Will it really be worth the journey?

My heart pounds as I take the first steps,

Slowly taking care not to slip  and maybe break a bone.

Perhaps I should have called someone to go instead ...

Halfway there, apply the brakes and turn to sit and catch my breath;

A cloud of white escaping my lips as I rethink this trip.

Colored lights dance in the windows of neighboring homes -

A tree twinkles, cheerful glass balls dance on boughs.

I pull myself back to my feet, smiling at the holiday sight.

Slowly moving toward my goal; hope growing.

Finally I arrive and open the metal door.

Reaching inside, I pull forth my prize - junk mail, 

A couple of bills.

Not one Christmas card.

Reviews

[Gee]

Man that's sad, and even sadder it is a truth for many elderly folk. Over here in the UK older relatives are far to often, neglected, forgotten, foresaken.
A lovely piece of writing

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have had this ending before....but wow, all that journey, treacherous, for that prize or prizes...
such a sad story...
but the journey is what is important, right Grandmary?
so they say....whoever they IS....
j.

[...]

I was always wonder what happen when i get really old. Do i will have any true friends , how i through my loneliness. You wrote very painful and truthful piece. So many old people are left alone. Human relations are broken. There are so many old people who dying alone without family members. At my town where i living are so many old people who don't have any friends. They are became complete invisible. It's very sad reality of our societies where some people don't have any social connections.


Very deep and important write .

[Gee]

It's unbelievable that in a world teeming with folk some people still have nobody to call.a friend.
Very moving