Angelita is one of the people we visit each week. For many years we have been trying to convince her to leave the deteriorating house that she lives in all alone. She is 96 years old and in frail condition. “You can live with Maricela,” we would tell her, speaking of a lady who helps us by caring for the sick and elderly in her home. Maricela wanted Angelita to come and live with her, knowing that she wasn’t getting proper care. But Angelita would always tells us, “No, I’m staying here.”
Although Angelita is cheerful and funny, often making us laugh, she also would cry and ask us, “Why is God letting me live so long? I’m too old. I can’t do anything.” Sometimes we would find her still be in bed at noontime when we brought her groceries. “I can barely move,” she would tell us. “I feel very sick.” But even after pleading with her to let us take her to Maricela’s, she would refuse.
About a month ago, however, someone broke into her house. They beat Angelita, stole the few appliances that she had, and left her lying there on the floor. A neighbor found her the next day in bad shape and called us. We took her to the clinic, and the doctor who examined her said that besides the bruising and the trauma from the attack, she was very malnourished. This time we insisted — “Angelita, you can’t live alone anymore. It’s not safe for you, and you’re not eating properly. We are going to take you to Maricela’s.” Shook up from the whole experience, Angelita agreed.
It’s only been a few weeks, but she is doing so much better. She is eating well, sleeping well, and is her usual cheerful self again. She’s ready to go whenever God calls her, but in the meantime we’re glad she’s in a safe place getting the care she needs.