I’ve just returned from N. Ireland having spent a week visiting family and friends. On one of the days we enjoyed a lovely afternoon with my sister and brother-in-law. When I opened the door as we were leaving there were some visitors standing on the welcome mat waiting to get into the house. Her seven very friendly adopted hens. They are old hens which were no longer wanted. This reminded me that over the years Ina adopted many unwanted pets. Budgies, hamsters, guinea pigs and dogs which were no longer wanted because they had grown old or the children just didn’t want them any longer. These birds and animals went on to live many happy lives in their “Escape to the Country.”
Sometimes elderly people and animals can be forgotten as many think they are no longer of any use. I feel that they have so much experience and love to pass on and we should welcome this. It’s too late when they are no longer here to pass on their knowledge or love.
I just discovered the other day that both my sons thought I had lied to them when our budgie went to my sister’s home. They thought he had died and that I was softening the blow by telling them that he had gone to keep another budgie company. Even though we had discussed Joey going at the time they had both assumed that when he disappeared, he had died. I must say that I was quite shocked by this revelation.
Thank you, Lord, that there are many people willing to care for the elderly and help us to appreciate all their life’s experiences.