Again, other matters just have to wait; this stuff demonstrates items needing reflection. In CA a 79yo woman ran over another woman and dragged her to her death for nearly a mile. (see local ABC news ( here)). The press was extremely lenient upon her, reporting that maybe the heavy rains were too much noise, for her to notice she hit someone. Try giving that excuse at 21 years of age to the police.
That story alone is most definitely interesting, but was not enough to assuage me from the planned diary for today. That is until this additional senior's gone wild story broke.
According to Smoking Gun online view Sheriff's report ( here); in Marion County Florida, 92 year old Helen Staudinger shot at her neighbor. The reason for the shooting is denoted to be because she believed she was in a relationship with her neighbor; who asked her to leave his abode and refused to give her a kiss.
Some readers here have followed my Prevent Elder Abuse works. The 75 year old who had two evil sons nefariously seized the family fortune when their mom died. Once they squandered the preponderance of the $2.2 million dollars; they then threatened and abused their dad physically. Even with all that, the probate court permitted the ole guy to be tossed out of the house he had paid to own & maintain for 30 years (in great part due to a very ineffective counsel) (See Elias v Elias cases at VanNuys CA court). I still believe the way the court was swayed to go against Sr. is very specious.
Then, among the other cases of elders in need was Charles the homeless, who always sleeps on bus benches; making his legs suffer many illnesses. As well as another homeless Senior, we called Mr. Dickerson, pan handling a particular route every other day; to feed himself and occupy his day. They were good, worthy cases. Charles was to proud and would refuse money, but would never refuse a meal if it was fried chicken or BBQ. I would get extremely worried that he was back in the hospital; when I would not see him at his 3 main bus benches. Both never seemed to bother anyone too much. Though some of my neighbors said Mr. Dickerson became more brash, because I was too generous and encouraging.
Today, I am also faced with another dilemma, my 86 year old gal (Mrs Goldstein), is in a hotel room I helped her get to; because her room mate (wicked witch of the west); was abusing Mrs. G by mental torture. But once I moved Mrs. G, she began to take things for granted. Now her SS check has been cut off, we only have her room paid until the 1st week in April and Mrs G simply wants to do the old indian way of going quietly into the night. She won't eat regularly and will act a little erratic at times.
Be that all as it may, from gals going nuts over imagenary boy friends, the gal who dragged a body for a mile and Mrs. G making it hard for me to assist her. Our senior fellow citizens need our help. I used to think (when I was a teenager), that I did not want to get old; that at 40 years of age - I would be done. Then I actually became real worried that G-d would hold me to my pledge; and was greatly thankful that I made it to 41. Now at 55, I have a mixed bag of thoughts. Elizabeth Taylor passed away yesterday, hers was a wonderful life; even doing commercials for her perfume just a few years back. Mrs. Taylor was a picturesque senior. But do I want to be 75, 80 or 90. Especially in a world where apathy has become the norm, medical insurance rules are subject to fickle politicos and greedy Robber Baron's.
Life is too short, we are but a speck of dust in this great universe. At the end of days, if such should ever come; all I want to be is worthwhile. I don't want people to be burdened by me and I would like to be of benefit to at least one person. If not of benefit, I would like to go quietly into the night. However, I cannot permit such thoughts to rule how I deal with senior citizens. I am one of those guys who says yes ma'am and yes sir to everyone; both old and young. For we are all just people. No more, but most certainly, no Less.
As a person, anyone is entitled to a certain amount of dignity, fair treatment and consideration. Therefore, I shall pray for the shooter, the driver, Charles & Mr. Dickerson (though I have moved and not seen them for awhile). And I shall wrench myself to figure out what to do about Mrs. G. If they put her in a home, it is almost as bad as death row. Though in some ways worse, many there, when not deep on meds; simply wish to also go quietly into the night. Mrs. G suffers from recovering of cancer several times. It could simply be all that chemo & radiation therapy has quickened the pace of elder issues. Irregardless of the fact that she makes me feel like pooh, I have to help; even though it hurts me to do so. Because I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. There's no easy way in that particular case.
Seniors gone wild or not, they are just people and like children, oft times (even though they would never admit it), they are in need of our assistance, our consideration and our going beyond what others may think - to try to give their lives comfort. For the other position is apathy's highway. I think such is much more unacceptable. At your end of days or mine; all we really need or want - is for someone to care!