Milwaukee is known for its uneven sidewalks and potholed streets. The weather is hard on both, with concrete expanding and contracting and always needing repair.
An older gent tripped on the sidewalk yesterday, got a nasty gash to his head and lost consciousness briefly. The first at the scene called 9-1-1 and kept him lying down. By the time I arrived with a few bandages and paper towels, the fire department was on its way. I directed traffic off the one-way street as the FD had called for an ambulance. By then we all knew where he lived.
It took me back to several years ago when I took a tumble just a few hundred feet away. My husband was out of town on business and as I had been walking our old dog, a neighbor took her until he could fly back and direct my care.
That sense of community is so important. In my case everyone in the neighborhood knew my. dog. Yesterday, every older person from the senior condos down the way knew the man and where he lived with his family. I hope he’s home today recuperating with his loved ones.
I believe in a strong sense of community. We have a lot of folks right here from our residences that come from different states and countries, are Black, Asian, gay, straight, young college students and retirees. Everyone gets along and, in a pinch, helps out as needed.
We also need reliable health insurance. A bump on the head, serious or not, should not kick someone off their health insurance for a pre-existiing condition. This gentleman may just have needed a bandage and a few hours of observation to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion. My neighiborhood spill was considerably worse but the city did repair/replace the rickety staircase.
And if you’re young and single, older and widowed or just living alone and want to be a part of your community, get a dog. Borrow one to walk as a favor to your neighbor until you’re ready to take the plunge. We stop by the rehab hospital across the way nearly daily to see the residents and while no-one knows my name, everyone knows and pets Lulu. Little kids ask to be introduced and I feel sorry for their parents when they get home from the park to endless requests for a pup of their own!
Building communities together. Not tearing them apart by ICE raids and deportations. Pitting neighbor against neighbor. That’s not who we are in this great melting pot that is the US of A. Something to remember. Cheers! Dee
Cooking with Dee 