Annie is formidable. Despite her advanced years, she walks to the shops early each morning and we pass each other on her way home as I’m running down the hill to the train station. We greet each other warmly, exchange pleasantries about the weather, and however much of a rush I am in, I always slow down to talk to Annie.Annie belongs to another age. She has lived on the street for many, many years and her sense of civic duty and pride are an example to us all; she's often seen carrying a piece of litter she’s just picked up. I couldn’t imagine my street without her; the round grey hat she always wears, the blue anorak and burgundy scarf, her spindly legs and sensible shoes, and the ever-present orange carrier bag of shopping. She stops to talk to everyone, and everyone looks out for Annie. When her cat died, we all worried about her, but she still climbs the hill every morning, and we still talk about the weather.
‘Morning!’
‘Hello, love. It’s supposed to clear up later.’
‘Good news! It’s been so grim.’
2 comments:
What a positive encounter to have each morning!
Wow, you know your neighbors I don't even know what their names are, I guess that it is what is sad in living in a condominium, people doesn't really care that much with each other, they are just preoccupied with work and work and work.
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