Life
Woman finds heartbreaking note left by her elderly neighbor and knows she needs to help
The letter broke the woman's heart and she knew she had to reach out.
Luis Gaskell
11.30.22

They always say that friends come and go.

You might not always keep the same ones, but you’ll be making new ones before you know it.

But that’s pretty easy when you’re a youngster. For seniors, it’s a whole different story.

This old lady desperately wanted friends but felt like time was running out.

Pexels - Pixabay
Source:
Pexels - Pixabay

It’s 90-year-old Wanda whom this story is about.

The elder resident of California was suffering from intense loneliness. So much so that she reached out to nearby people for friendship.

Marleen Brooks came home one day to a note left by the elderly woman asking for friends.

The yellow piece of paper had an emotional message written with the simplest of handwriting.

“Would you consider to become my friend. I’m 90 years old- live alone. All my friends have passed away. I’m so lonesome and scared. Please I pray for someone.”

This broke Marleen’s heart. She just had to see who this lady was.

Marleen and her best friend paid the woman a visit.

This may have been the first time in ages that Wanda had company over.

There, they brought cupcakes and got to know each other.

At her age, Wanda had a lot to talk about. 90 years is a long time, and Wanda had so many experiences to share.

It’s not hard to see why Wanda was so desperate for friends.

Her family doesn’t see her anymore and she’s got a host of health issues to deal with on top of it all.

She has a heart condition and needs oxygen all the time.

With that many battles to fight all the time, having friends can really make it a lot easier.

Pexels - Alexandre Saraiva Carniato
Source:
Pexels - Alexandre Saraiva Carniato

In fact, loneliness can hurt a lot more than most illnesses.

Most U.S. citizens over the age of 60 live with a partner or a relative.

Those that live alone are in the minority of 27%. Evidently, Wanda belongs to that second group.

Indeed, Wanda had already lost one son to cancer.

The surviving two don’t live close to her at all. You can’t blame her for being as depressed as she was.

Pexels- Gabriela Palai
Source:
Pexels- Gabriela Palai

The feeling of waking up and reliving the same, lonely day every day would break just about anyone.

It’s a feeling that slowly eats away at you. You’ll catch yourself wondering if life’s worth living if it means more of this.

It hurts enough when you’re young. But when you’re a senior and watched several of your friends pass away already, it’s a whole different story.

But thanks to Marleen, Wanda doesn’t have to feel that way anymore.

Pexels - Andrea Piacquadio
Source:
Pexels - Andrea Piacquadio

The two had a wonderful time at Wanda’s home.

“She’s such a sweet lady! And she was over the moon when we came over.” – said Marleen

Moments like this show how much we take friends and company for granted.

A simple phone call or shared coffee with someone can go a really long way.

Pexels - Matthias Zomer
Source:
Pexels - Matthias Zomer

Now, Marleen keeps in touch with Wanda and visits her regularly.

She lets Wanda call her if she ever needs anything, which makes all of us incredibly happy.

Huge props to Marleen and her best friend for giving Wanda a reason to get up in the morning now.

If you know someone who’s spending a bit too long by themselves, give them a call.

It could mean the world to them!

Pexels - Mathias Zomer
Source:
Pexels - Mathias Zomer

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