Irene is a willowy, no nonsense sort of Brit. A few years back, as she and her husband were about to enter their early retirement years, he passed away suddenly. Ireneʼs life changed radically. She found the nights the hardest. She was forced to make some tough decisions that included moving to an apartment. She hoped she would feel less lonely closer to others. When moving day came the first people she met at her new building were Milton and his elderly mother, Edna. When Irene overheard the soft British accents she introduced herself and a three way friendship began.
During an early visit she learned that Milton lived a few miles away but made regular visits to his mother. Edna told Irene about how she too had lost a husband and how she had been worrying about Miltonʼs future. She told Irene about the network she and Milton were working to set up. Milton was lonely. He had always been in special programs as a child. He had worked for a while in a sheltered workshop and now in middle age he volunteered a few hours at the local seniors’ home. Edna worried because he tended to watch too much television, especially in the daytime when his favourite ʻStarsky and Hutchʼ and ʻThe Andy Griffith Showʼ were on.
Milton was immediately charmed by Irene. Irene is a wonderful listener and she was committed to helping others in this new phase of her life. Over time Irene became a member of Miltonʼs network. At first she saw her time with Milton as a part of her volunteer work. Then a crisis struck that resulted in a true friendship.
Milton had to go into the hospital for extensive orthopaedic surgery. It was clear Edna could not care for him when he was due to leave the hospital. Irene and Miltonʼs network created a plan to share the care for Milton in his own apartment. During this time Irene took to calling Milton every night just before bedtime to check in and see how everything was. On good days he would make her laugh by whistling the theme song from ʻThe Andy Griffith Show.ʼ
Miltonʼs recovery progressed well and soon he no longer needed the daily support of his network friends. But Irene kept calling anyway and thatʼs what changed their relationship into a mutually supportive friendship. As Irene puts it, “I donʼt know. I just kind of got into the habit of calling Milton every night. And itʼs nice, you know. The nights donʼt seem so long because now I have someone to say goodnight to.”
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