The Invisible Neighbor
by Wendy LeGate

Betty loved to hear about what was the latest and greatest things going on with OGO Morgans.  I never disappointed her - always telling her of things happening and plans for the future.  Steve Costa, my fiancé, made sure that all the weeds were cut down around Betty's entire property.  He also assured that the arena outside her bedroom window was tilled up, so that Betty could see her grand-daughter ride.  Betty had outstandingly bred Quarter Horses and she loved to watch through the window, or from the deck that had been built right off of her bedroom.  This gave Betty endless joy.

I made a habit of bringing Betty meals and visiting with her.  I cursed the fact that I had not taken it upon myself to knock on her door years earlier - just to introduce myself and get to know this special woman.  I am thankful - through Betty, I had the opportunity to meet her sister Ellen and her caretaker, Roseanne.  These two ladies took special pains to make the rest of Betty's life as comfortable as possible...up to the very end.  Betty took great comfort in all the things they did for her.

Betty had a beautiful Birthday party not long before her passing.  It was her way of saying goodbye to the friends and neighbors she had spent time with in her life.   She was determined to make this goodbye a happy occasion.  I remember about a month before that party, she called me up and asked me to come see her.  She had something that she wanted to talk to me about.  I came straight away - as I always did, when she called me.  At that point in our friendship, I stopped by whenever I wanted and could just knock, open the door and call out I was there.  She would yell at me to come on in.  She had made it clear, I was always welcome and it was expected for me to visit regularly.  I will remember the conversation with Elizabeth 'Betty' French that day for the rest of my life.  Betty knew she didn't have all that long to live - and quite frankly, she was ready to leave behind the stresses and burdens that she felt thrust upon her...forever.

Betty sat me down next to her on the bed.  She tenderly took my hand - and like a gentle warm blanket, held it between both of her weathered, loving hands.  She stroked and patted my hand, as she spoke to me.  She had an expression of affection and tenderness that had become common-place between she and I.  Betty had much to say...so much, it would take pages and pages to do any justice to it all...so I will just share some small part of that moment.

Betty told me that she had been around the block once or twice, during her life...and had taken as many knocks as she had given out.  She knew a thing or two about people and life.  She felt the simple sound of my voice was like an instant injection that would make her feel better and the happiness she felt from my visit would linger long after I left her presence.  She said, "You have been the first person to kiss my face...hold my hand, or hug me close for a very long time."  She told me that when I told her I loved her...she knew it.  She didn't feel like I wanted something from her.  She didn't feel suspicious of my love.  There was no hurt to make her bitter.  She continued, "When you say you love me, it feels like a warm blanket right out of the dryer on a cold day."  She wanted me to know that she felt like I was her little personal ray of sunshine.  One could travel their entire journey in life and not be honored to hear such words from another.  I was truly humbled, as she continued...

Betty told me things that had made her happy in her life and things that had made her feel the saddest.  She told me of the dreams she had for her two grand-children and the doubts she had that those dreams would never come true.  I think she may have told me all the things she didn't feel she could tell anyone else - either because she didn't think they would understand, or because...she just felt more comfortable telling me.  I will never know for sure.  Betty thanked me for coming into her life and taking the time to visit with her.  She said that I would never know how much it had meant to her.  I listened carefully to everything she said.  I gave her my complete attention.

Like a secret ceremony of honor, Betty reached gently to place a watch in my hand.   She told me that it needed to be cleaned and the safety chain repaired.  It also needed a new battery, but that it was solid gold and a very nice watch.  She wanted me to clean it up and wear it.  Each time I wore it...I was to remember her.   I tried to joke with her and tell her she was being a silly goose.  She would be around for years and years, I retorted in denial.  I would march right out to get it repaired for her and she could wear it herself.  She could wear it herself and she could think of me every time she looked for the hour.