This one's for Jim, a neighbor who understands and personifies the true meaning of the word!

Here's a story about Ed and Ida, some dear people who have always dedicated their lives to each other, their family, hard work, and harmony. Now they're retired, and though life in some ways is easier, in others, of course, it's more challenging than ever! Ed has some health issues which have forced him to modify his diet and take some meds, while Ida has gradually lost her hearing. Do they say, 'oh woe is me!' Not on your life! They always wake up ready for action, going walking in the morning, surfing the net and reading extensively, generally staying abreast of what's going on in the world, getting out and about with old friends, visiting with family whenever the opportunity presents itself. In fact, that's how the whole thing started!

There they were at a small dinner party, when Ed, who hadn't been feeling well the past few days but insisted on carrying on with the plan, suddenly collapsed and had to be taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance. Ida, like the true trouper she always is, didn't want to alarm her kids, who live far away, and handled everything herself, despite her hearing problem. I should explain that Ida has a cochlear implant which is an incredible computerized device that allows her to hear to a certain extent. Face-to-face one-on-one conversations are pretty easy, although she describes the voice tones she 'hears' as "Mickey Mouse-ish". (You've got to hand it to her - her sense of humor is always intact!)

So that night, in the emergency room, I can only imagine what it must have been like having to sort through all the administrative process, consultations with doctors, concern for her husband, plus the fact that the hospital was not their usual medical facility, as he was taken not to their close-to-home hospital but to the hospital nearest the restaurant. There followed 3 days of tests and care which she continued to brave out alone with Ed. Eventually she did call one of her daughters, who eventually told the others, but basically, Ed and Ida were alone inside the whole Hospital Machine. When at last he was discharged, she brought him home, only to have him develop a fever the next day. He got worse, so she decided to take him to the hospital - this time their hospital, close to home - but when she went to start up the car, she discovered that one of the tires was flat! This was the crucial moment. This couple had already been subjected to an intense combination of medical, emotional, and logistic complications, not to mention the sheer exhaustion of coping with such; were they now to be thwarted by a flat tire!!

And that was when Jim stepped in! Jim is their neighbor, a younger man, who lives for adventure it seems - I hear he is about to go on an African safari! This wonderful guy first took the initiative with Ed and Ida a few years ago when he came outside and saw Ed trying to start up his lawnmower. It was a hot day - though still early - and Jim decided that Ed should allow him to mow the older man's lawn. He convinced Ed by making a deal with him that he would gladly mow Ed's lawn now if Ed would then lend him his power mower - one of those that you ride - to mow his own. This was truly an honorable way for Jim to show respect for Ed while also helping him out immensely. Since then, Jim has helped them on other occasions with the heavier physical chores of life in the suburbs, always taking the iniciative, always with respect, always with great care, humor and affection.

So that evening (it was getting past dusk now), when Ida was trying to stay calm and decide what to do, Jim happened to come out of his house and saw her sitting in the car with the flat tire. He approached, and upon discovering what had happened with Ed, once again this marvelous neighbor just stepped in and provided the perfect solution. He told Ida straight away that she was not to worry; he would take the couple to the hospital, let them off and return later for Ida when she was ready. Since it was going to be late and neither Ed nor Ida drive at night unless it's absolutely necessary, this was a big relief for Ida. Not only did she get Ed installed, talk to the doctors and nurses, and find out what would be done the next day, but she was also escorted home by Jim, who made sure she got in okay (you know how it is to come home at night to an empty house!). The next day, he had her tire fixed and her car ready for her by the time she was ready to go to the hospital to visit Ed.

Jim, this one's for you - a great neighbor who is also lucky enough to have such great neighbors as Ed and Ida, who are two of the most wonderful people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing! I know why they got you for their neighbor, Jim. It's the way of the universe. The more you give, the more you receive!

P.S. Just to end the story of Ed's odyssey (I should have given more mention to him, as he was the one we were all so concerned about in the first place, but that will have to be in another entry), let me just say that I talked to him today and his voice sounded good and chipper! He says he's going home today!