To warn you, this post is sad, so if you’re already feeling down today, I’d suggest skipping over this read. But I felt the need to share this story with you, because I want to inspire you to do something that you’ve either been thinking you should do or inspire you to do something if you haven’t been thinking about it.
As you may know, I live with my grandfather. It has been such a cool experience getting to know him better and to form this unbreakable bond with him. When I moved in, he had a little rescue dog named Izzy that I have kind of adopted as my own. He’s my little buddy and to say I love him is quite the understatement. When I first moved in and was unemployed, Izzy and I would go on daily 4 mile walks through the neighborhood. We got to know a lot of people from these walks, and it was nice to know and see familiar faces every day in a new to me town.
There was one lady on our walks that stuck out to me the most though. Her name was Paula and she was in her mid to late seventies. She lived alone and was the most precious lady you’ve ever seen. The reason I got to know Paula was thanks to Izzy, and for that I am ever grateful. Every day, every. single. day, Paula would leave a fresh bowl of water out for the dogs in the neighborhood. She’d leave it right under her mailbox and Izzy would take a fresh sip every time we passed. Eventually, Paula noticed that we stopped by her house every morning and she started to come out and say hello to us when she would see us pass by. Izzy loved her and she loved Izzy just as much.
One day during the Covid lockdowns, the water bowl stopped appearing. I thought maybe Paula was nervous about Covid and for that I totally understood. I told myself I’d write her a little note that thanked her for giving the neighborhood dogs water, and if she needed anything at all that I would be more than willing to help her or run any errands for her.
But I didn’t. I never got around to it, and it makes me feel terrible.
This past weekend I noticed a few packages that had been pilling up on Paula’s porch and I just felt as if something were off. I called the local police department for a wellness check, and while I was waiting for the police to arrive for their check, another neighbor that I met through walking my dog showed up. She agreed that something was off with Paula and was thankful that I called. Eventually we learned that Paula had passed away, and, while I don’t know any of the details and wouldn’t share them due to privacy if I did, it shatters my heart.
I wish I had written her that thank you note. I hope she knew how much of an impact she made on me and Izzy.
So, while now I am in tears while I write this, I hope I inspire you to reach out to those that make a difference in your life, no matter how big or how small. Let the people you love and appreciate know that you do!
Thanks for reading!
xox
chloe