i hear ya, steve. i’ll add a bit to your consternation.
i witness and have experienced Szd’s points, too.
after getting the diagnosis of diabetes, i got a stern “talking-to” from a retiring nurse, she was not apathetic! she had a message and wanted to make sure i got it before she left her work.
she told me, EXERCISE is as important for health as ANY medication!
she urged me to “go to walmart, go to shopping malls, WALK! WALK! WALK!”
she knows i live in the country - “drive there, go out of your way, stay longer, don’t take shortcuts!”
it was pretty interesting. memorable. for real, bless her heart.
strangely, when visiting my family on Seattle’s doorstep, A FEW YEARS AGO, i witnessed my healthy+strong daughter using home delivery for groceries. milk, veggies, cereal, you name it.
she loves it. (i will add, her personality is of one who would employ servants, if she could).
she did not know about my diabetes lecture.
these services have nice insulated packages for cold items. sometimes they use dry ice, etc.
AMAZON is a leader, but, stiff competition.
i drive by the curbside pickup at my local walmart, WALK and WALK, silently praying they keep their brick+mortar stores. recall, walmart receives loads of criticism for causing lots of small businesses to close! now .. ??
this walmart offers lots of
wheelchair/carts, and, of course, handicap parking.
these services are used! i wouldn’t be surprised if users have been advised to get out and use them!
(i notice Valerie is speaking to this, ^^ i agree, many need physical help. no argument here.)
the nearby university is a long established center for physical rehab, important work.
personally, i believe the handicapped are the only group deserving of special gov status and protections, altho, they appear to be the least noisy, least demanding ..
since 2008, in my county area, i cannot count the brick+mortars of all sizes+descriptions that have closed, and, still more are closing. it’s so sad. i can’t tell you how sad. some new businesses are coming. Chik-fil-A recently opened. Costco is planned for next year, i think. not an even exchange.
in my county is a large state university. i never dreamed we would lose nearly every bookstore. unthinkable! even Christian bookstores. i think one remains. not in its former glory. businesses that remain have downsized, offer smaller inventory and services.
one reason i love visiting my family is: exercise. and, it’s so natural!
up+down stairs, doing chores, running errands. i sleep on the floor, because i can, and because, great exercise.
i don’t take shortcuts, unless i have to. i don’t employ servants, i am the servant!
and, i’m sincerely grateful to be able to serve.
i try to impart this attitude to my family. i hope my daughter may wistfully remember one day, and see the value in it. my grdaughter sometimes is puzzled and will ask, “grammy, why do you (do this thing) for me?” i assure her, “because i enjoy helping others. i enjoy giving .. and, i know you do, too!” (she does, she doesn’t think about it.)
my blood sugar “magically” normalizes when i’m with my family. those stairs! the hills to climb!
the difference is undeniable. the retiring nurse was right!
my experience.
ps to Valerie regarding busy young families:
young families are supposed to be busy!
they’re supposed to be tiring and demanding.
all these challenges are important ways of communicating, learning self control, interacting with family and society. i would help, as you do, even this is communicating many valuable messages.
this is what humans are built for, not ease and isolation. we love our easy ways. it’s healthier to work as hard as you’re able.
parents go through the work, ^^ then may get the reward of being grandparents.
when our children were young, i noticed, “the best job” is grandparenting!
i’m here, now. and, i love it. i embrace the work of it.
this trip, after 4 months, i fought tears leaving. they need help, nothing is better for me than helping. 2000 miles are in the way.