DAY 69: HIS NAME IS EARL

Earl Martin is, simply, a good old soul.

He lived on a farm in Raywick, and worked on that farm to earn his keep for many years. He was approaching 80 years old when my husband and I decided to visit him. 

 

When asked if there was anything he needed that we could bring to him Earl was quick to ask for a pair of work boots - as he showed us the holes in his shoes.

He also said he was ready to "retire". He expressed a wish to go to Cedars of Lebanon where his brother had lived.

The next visit we brought the work boots he desired, but Earl wasn't so forthcoming with conversation that time. It was almost as if he was afraid to talk to us! I couldn't figure out why that was.

The picture, below, is one I took of him on that disturbing visit; just seeing it again makes me SO SO SAD. My heart was so heavy for him! I just could not get him out of my mind.

Soon after this visit, though, Earl realized his dream of retirement.

Little did I know that his friends and neighbors were already busy working on a project to retire Earl.

He now lives out his dream at the retirement home of his choice, Cedars of Lebanon nursing home. I saw in the local paper - maybe last year - that he was voted Valentine "King" by his fellow residents there. And I visited a couple of times and it was obvious that he'd become somewhat of a celebrity because of his dancing and his good nature...

I am happy for Earl Martin!

He deserves a nice retirement from his lifetime of labor!

I don't know of very many people who look forward to living in a nursing home, but for Earl that was the goal on which he had pinned his hopes and dreams.