52 Comments
User's avatar
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Sharron, a beautiful story of giving and the selfless work that goes on every day without any fanfare. - Jim

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Jim. So many elders are alone, it is pitiable. I thank all the gods that I have people that find me worthy of their care and their love. Such a gift.

Expand full comment
Linda Brown's avatar

Sweet sentiment - and happy holidays to you and yours!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

And the same to you, my friend. Happiest of holidays to you and to all those who love you!

Expand full comment
Jill CampbellMason's avatar

I love the ones I’m with. You. Sharron. You are loved

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hee hee hee. Thank you, Jill. I need it and I can feel it.

Expand full comment
Jill CampbellMason's avatar

And here we are chuckling at one another...I could feel your reply BEFORE you replied!

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

A nice tribute to those who give of themselves all year long. Thank you Sharron.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for giving it a second read. You are a good man. Now - would you please write something short and autobiographical and include some photos of yourself from the early 80s...

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

Haha! Such records are hard to find at this point.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Get to it!

Expand full comment
Wade Terry's avatar

What a lovely reminder that love and friendship go both ways and they may be found anywhere there are caring people.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

It is the best we can hope for, neighbor. And caring for your neighbors, seems to be one of your many talents.

Expand full comment
Sue Cauhape's avatar

Oh Stephen ... so good to hear that song again. And I loved your story about Annie. I felt the same way about my elderly clients through the In-Home Support. Friends couldn't figure out why I was okay with cleaning toilets for $3.25/hour. How does one explain the fringe benefits or a dozen grammies?

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I, myself, understand that completely. Every time we help others we give ourselves a gift as well. As McCartney tells us. "And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make."

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Very cool they found each other. One need satisfies the other.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. Thanks for this thought, James Ron. If we don't have a family, we can always make one.

Expand full comment
Janice Walton's avatar

Happy holidays, Sharron. Family comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes these days - the critical piece is understanding that and letting them be what they are. Who would have thought a girl born and raised in Ohio would have an Asian-American family in California today?

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hear! Hear! Janice. In my story, The Abilene Trilogy, we consider, "... family is family, whether it’s the one you start out with, or the one you choose along the way. And home isn’t where you’re from, it’s wherever you find the light when all grows dark."

Expand full comment
C J O'Hare's avatar

Beautiful story and sonnet too - very touching Sharron.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks so much Conor. Aww, there is a story everywhere, isn't there?

Expand full comment
C J O'Hare's avatar

💯

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

pensive

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Well, yes. I think it is because I, myself, was feeling old and fragile this past two weeks. I am on the mend now, thank heavens. I lost two precious weeks of my life.

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

WEll dang! woman! Not lost at all. There's still stories falling out of your pencil. 2 weeks off is for rebuilding those little grey cells. I don't think you can actually use them all up. ... just need a polish now and then. Welcome back )))

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

This is such a lovely story, Sharron.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Justin, for giving it a second look. Wishing you and the entire Hudson River tribe the happiest of holidays!

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, my friend. Happy Holidays to you and yours, as well! 😊

Expand full comment
GB's avatar

So sweet, best new Christmas story for me. Merry Christmas.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hey, Gulch Boy. Long time no see. I am finally on the up swing. Took two weeks to stop coughing. Yikes. Hope you are having fun on the road. Put a dollar in the slot for me and try to win me a few bucks.

Expand full comment
Yael Gelardin's avatar

Excellent story as I myself live in an assisted housing. I love Elizabeth Barrett Browning.. thank you.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I hope you are happy living in a group home situation, Yael. I am not quite there yet. I worry a lot about living with noise. I know it will be hard to get accustomed to.

Expand full comment
Yael Gelardin's avatar

I am 82. You have plenty of time. And it’s not suitable for everyone.😉

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am only a year younger than you. I will cling to my quiet, tiny house as long as I am able... Thank you, Yael.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

One of our Christmas traditions is reading Papa Panov’s Special Christmas, by Leo Tolstoy. Annie and Papa Oanov understand the same truth.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you. I will look for that at my local library.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

Google the title and you will find downloadable free .pdf.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

A lovely little story. Taken from Matthew 25:35. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Matt Inwood's avatar

Lovely. I wonder often about what passes through the minds of the carers who look after my mum. I wish I was able to visit more often. I always make sure to leave a note and a thank you gift for the carers each time I do.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

My mom was in care only three days, her last days, but hospice saved my sanity. I appreciated them so much, I brought them flowers weekly for three months after she died. Bless them all. I was especially impressed with the young men care givers. They were so kind.

Expand full comment
Matt Inwood's avatar

Oh Sharron, that’s lovely of you. They are amazing people.

Expand full comment
T. D. Wolf's avatar

You have a wonderful Holiday Season too, Sharron!

Expand full comment