The
world needs more people like my neighbor, Mrs. Ruth Kammer. She is "89 and
a half years-old" and has lived in her home since 1950. I moved next door
to Mrs. Kammer 3 years-ago, and she was the only person who bought me a
"welcome to the neighborhood" gift. She is also the only neighbor
with spare keys to my house, which over the years, I've needed several times,
and she's always answered her door with a smile!
Without telling me, she's asked her gardener, her children and even her grandchildren to help me with my yard - which was a complete over-grown mess when I moved in - and her response to my professed gratitude has always been, "It's what you're supposed to do. We're supposed to help each other and love one another."
Mrs. Kammer is the only person in my neighborhood to return my invitation to tea. In her words, "It's the neighborly thing to do, but it seems people don't do that anymore!" Something I know all too well, having invited several people to my home, who have never returned the "common courtesy."
Without telling me, she's asked her gardener, her children and even her grandchildren to help me with my yard - which was a complete over-grown mess when I moved in - and her response to my professed gratitude has always been, "It's what you're supposed to do. We're supposed to help each other and love one another."
Mrs. Kammer is the only person in my neighborhood to return my invitation to tea. In her words, "It's the neighborly thing to do, but it seems people don't do that anymore!" Something I know all too well, having invited several people to my home, who have never returned the "common courtesy."
People,
she said, “are too busy to visit or talk to their neighbors these days and it's
such a shame!"
She
shares her wisdom without passing judgment, and I have enjoyed our many chats
while we tended to our gardens. I've always been impressed (and embarrassed) by
how neat and tidy she's kept her side. Whenever I'd see her sweeping or pulling
weeds, I'd feel compelled to cleanup my side, too!
Today,
when she asked if I'd like a tour of her home, I could barely hide the
excitement! I happily accepted her invitation, as I've only seen the
downstairs, and have always wondered what the rest of the home looked like!
The white clapboard house was originally a three story log house built in the 1790's. The additions and renovations were completed in 1840, and most of her interior decorating was done in the 1970's. While taking the tour, I was blown away by her excellent taste and how timeless her rooms appeared. Most surprising was how well she's maintained the furniture and woodwork; even with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I couldn’t find one dent, ding or scratch in her furniture! Her home appeared in a 70's issue of Colonial Homes Magazine, and the rooms look exactly as they appeared in the pictures.
Mrs. Kammer is a widow of over 30 years, and has lived alone since her husband's death. She's always been independent, and feels that her "kids worry too much about her, but knows they have good intentions!" Her daughter recently moved to Florida and has asked her mother to join her to escape the harsh winters. Her family feels that the house is too large for her now, and they'd feel better if she lived in a warmer climate, especially since she doesn't allow me or other people to shovel her pathway. "I'm fine, don't worry about me!" was her response last winter, after she'd refused my offer to help.
After 64 years in her home, she said it only took one night to consider her daughters' offer. "I thought, well I've lived here all these years, but I guess I can do this, why not? I just have to get rid of all this stuff that I've accumulated over the years!"
She's now sold or given away most of her furniture and beautiful oriental rugs, and says she doesn't mind leaving it all behind, because in her words, "I'm not attached to my stuff, I'm just blessed to have had a happy home with all the happy memories of people coming and going."
Sadly, her home is now for sale, but says she doesn’t want to leave until it’s sold. I was so touched when she added, "I'm trying to find you some nice neighbors before I leave."
She recently had a heart attack and hasn't been allowed to drive or work in her garden - which she isn't very happy about! This morning, while driving her to a dentist appointment, she confided in me that she'd defied her doctors' orders of staying home and avoiding crowds. With a cheeky grin on her face, she confessed, "I walked myself to church yesterday to see my friends! I don't like being stuck indoors, and anyway, I managed to get there and back by myself, so I guess I'm doing alright."
Mrs. Kammer, you are more than "alright" - you are my hero and I'm so blessed to have had you as my neighbor. You will be greatly missed and I will never forget your fiercely independent soul; A soul that has inspired me, and I'm sure, has inspired countless others who've had the honor of meeting you. Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor, but more importantly, thank you for being a true friend!
The white clapboard house was originally a three story log house built in the 1790's. The additions and renovations were completed in 1840, and most of her interior decorating was done in the 1970's. While taking the tour, I was blown away by her excellent taste and how timeless her rooms appeared. Most surprising was how well she's maintained the furniture and woodwork; even with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I couldn’t find one dent, ding or scratch in her furniture! Her home appeared in a 70's issue of Colonial Homes Magazine, and the rooms look exactly as they appeared in the pictures.
Mrs. Kammer is a widow of over 30 years, and has lived alone since her husband's death. She's always been independent, and feels that her "kids worry too much about her, but knows they have good intentions!" Her daughter recently moved to Florida and has asked her mother to join her to escape the harsh winters. Her family feels that the house is too large for her now, and they'd feel better if she lived in a warmer climate, especially since she doesn't allow me or other people to shovel her pathway. "I'm fine, don't worry about me!" was her response last winter, after she'd refused my offer to help.
After 64 years in her home, she said it only took one night to consider her daughters' offer. "I thought, well I've lived here all these years, but I guess I can do this, why not? I just have to get rid of all this stuff that I've accumulated over the years!"
She's now sold or given away most of her furniture and beautiful oriental rugs, and says she doesn't mind leaving it all behind, because in her words, "I'm not attached to my stuff, I'm just blessed to have had a happy home with all the happy memories of people coming and going."
Sadly, her home is now for sale, but says she doesn’t want to leave until it’s sold. I was so touched when she added, "I'm trying to find you some nice neighbors before I leave."
She recently had a heart attack and hasn't been allowed to drive or work in her garden - which she isn't very happy about! This morning, while driving her to a dentist appointment, she confided in me that she'd defied her doctors' orders of staying home and avoiding crowds. With a cheeky grin on her face, she confessed, "I walked myself to church yesterday to see my friends! I don't like being stuck indoors, and anyway, I managed to get there and back by myself, so I guess I'm doing alright."
Mrs. Kammer, you are more than "alright" - you are my hero and I'm so blessed to have had you as my neighbor. You will be greatly missed and I will never forget your fiercely independent soul; A soul that has inspired me, and I'm sure, has inspired countless others who've had the honor of meeting you. Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor, but more importantly, thank you for being a true friend!
I'm
growing more and more sentimental as I age, and I know that our elders have so
much to wisdom to share. Mrs. Kammer is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met at her
age, and has clearly surrounded herself with good people, and done so much good
in her own life, that her deeds/karma have ensured her a great life. I can only
pray that I'm as enthusiastic about life as she is in her 80's. I couldn't believe
it when she told me she didn't mind having to sell all her belongings to move.
In the car, she said, “When my husband knew he was dying, he said to me,
'Ruthy, we may not have had quantity, but we had quality.’" I had to hold
back the tears! I felt inspired to write this today (September 22, 2014) and post it on facebook after I’d taken her to a dentist appointment. When we pulled into the garage, she asked if I’d like to see the rest of her house and said she’d been meaning to take me on a tour of the house ever since I moved in! It’s a HUGE house, so she must only offer a tour to people when she feels up for it! It was an absolute treasure trove of beautiful oriental rugs, meaningful decorative items and paintings, and exquisite furniture, which she has managed to keep looking brand new, even though she’s had it for decades. For a house that has always hosted children and family events, I was amazed! She spoke so lovingly about her late husband and about all her nick nacks and pieces she’s collected over the years. All I could think was, when I’m old, will I have an interesting home with fond memories attached to everything, too? She has to sell most of her belongings, because her home in Florida is much smaller and her children can’t take everything. The most amazing part is that she doesn’t feel sad having to let go of her oriental rugs or fine china, because she said she was “never attached to her stuff.”
