Joyce's sister was over packing up her clothes and toiletries this morning. I stopped by to offer a hand and to just be nosey. I wanted to find out what was going on.
"She's going to miss you," Joyce's sister, Janice, told me. "We've got her a good place to stay."
"I am going to miss her as well," I replied as I busied myself carrying Joyce's clothes to her sister's car.
Stepping into Joyce's house is like stepping back into time. It looks and smells like my now departed great aunt's house. Something out of the sixties.
As I was leaving, I watched as they put a for sale sign in front of Joyce's house. It didn't hit me that she was actually gone until I saw that. Despite all Joyce's problems, she has been a good neighbor -- the first neighbor I have ever felt close to. I am sad to see her go. I hope she grows to enjoy her new living environs.
19 comments:
I hope the really have found her a good place and at least she won't be alone. I can't wait to see who will buy the house and move in. Maybe it will be someone friendly for you to visit with.
I know that you will really miss her. I wonder if her sister can give you her new addreses and phone number so that you could visit or call her...just am idea. I hope that you have a good idea. I hope you remember that we are friends and I am just an email away from each other.
She really has been a good neighbor for you. I too hope she is happy in her new home.
Lets home a railroad lover moves in next door!!
Hugs friend!
That had to be hard. I hope she finds herself in a good, safe place with supportive friends.
can you visit her?
I'm sorry that Joyce has left your neighborhood..that's always the hardest thing to part with friends when they leave...but can you still stay in touch with her and carry on the friendship (like anon boxer said)?
On the glass half full side you can look forward to a new neighbor and all the interesting things you'll learn about them... :)
Have a great week Andrew,
Elizabeth :)
I hope you poured that beer out Andrew. If you didn't, though, try to think of it as one small slip up, and not a reversion to the old routine.
Sir:
I can understand your sorrow about Joyce. It is indeed sad. Be careful about the Benedryl.
PipeTobacco
Go pour out the beer! In five days you will have made it to 200 days sober. 200 day! It's a daily struggle and some days are clearly harder than others, but I believe you can get through THIS day without drinking...
Best wishes...
Wow, I am amazed you will have been sober for two hundred days! I am happy for you!
Oh no you didn't!!! Pour the beer OUT! NOW! In five days you will be sober for 200 days. That is a wonderful accomplishment. You want that counter to keep on climbing.
I know today has been really sad for you. Joyce has been a good neighbor. Will she be close enough for you to visit. I hope so for both of you. If so, you must make it a priority to visit her and stay in touch. She needs lots of encouragement. It makes me sad for you.
Tough shit.
Hope you can and will see her.
New neighbours?
We got to know Joyce through your blog and I'm sorry she's gone. She sounded like a lovely lady despite her problems. I hope she is happy in her new home.
Don't forget you have lots of people out here in blogland who care about you.
Here's my prayer that Joyce will get the necessary help and finally be at peace with herself.
You have been a good friend to her Andrew.
Assisted living facilities can be wonderful. Many are staffed with warm, caring individuals who will make sure she takes her medication when she needs to, in the correct dosages. I hope she thrives in that environment, and maybe you can go and visit her there, you might be surprised at how well she does. Andrew, you're a good, caring friend to her, and you know she's appreciated your friendship and love. You are indeed a blessing in her life, I hope you realize that and appreciate yourself.
Hi, I just came upon your blog. I'm sorry your friend is leaving, I hope you can keep in touch with her. Congratulations on your sobriety. My husband has been dealing with his own addictions for years and I appreciate the struggles you must be going through. Just remember, take it hour by hour,minute by minute if you need to.
I'm so glad I found your blog. I have bipolar and have a fondness for others struggling with mental illness.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out where she is and visit her, right?
I agree with Sharon in that many of these facilities can be good places. And yes, you should be able to visit her - they're not prisons. My late grandmother had dementia, and it was really difficult to put her into a home. But, the people working there were trained to handle her condition, whereas my family wasn't. My grandmother would do things like leave her gas stove on or wander about the neighborhood at night and get lost/panic, and it became exhausting making sure she was watched 24/7 and not getting into any trouble. It was a clean, bright, friendly place that was not unlike living in a private home, only with help. So we were all able to rest easily, knowing she was being properly cared for and monitored. Joyce will finally be somewhere where her medications and regimen can be stabilized and she can enjoy a good quality of life. I imagine that it's frightening to be mentally ill and having all these things happen to you that you can't understand -- and now at least, she will have help. I agree with some of the other posters, too. It can be an adventure to get to know new neighbors. My boyfriend and I had a new family with a baby move in next door to us, and it's been fun getting to know new friends.
This is a very good story.Joyce is a very good nabour for you.This is the hardest thing between two good friends.You can go there and meet with joyce and share your feelings.
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