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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to call her back?

52 replies

notsurehowtodothis · 26/01/2017 16:56

I am going to sound like a weirdo, I know, but anyhow.....

A little while ago I had a call on my landline that I missed. It was a local number so I rang it back just in case it was something to do with nursery etc. Anyway, it was a very elderly lady who told me she didn't know what had happened but that she was trying to get hold of someone else (she mentioned a nearby village). But then she said, 'but thank you for ringing me. It's so nice to just speak to somebody.'

It tugged at my heart - she sounded very elderly and alone. We had a brief exchange of pleasantries and then ended the call. Now I'm feeling a bit sad about it.

So, WIBU to call her back tomorrow, perhaps under the guise of seeing if she managed to get hold of the right person, and have a little natter with her? She may well tell me to mind my own business, but I can't really bear the thought of someone being so alone than a person returning a missed call is the only person they have to talk to :(

OP posts:
confusedat23 · 26/01/2017 16:57

Hi OP I don't think anyone would tell you you are being unreasonable. I am sure she would love to have a chat with you Smile

Doolallylally · 26/01/2017 16:58

You don't sound like a weirdo, you sound lovely. If you feel you have the time and resources to actually get involved with this lady, go for it.

MWM · 26/01/2017 16:58

Definitely do it! She sounds like my grandma who would happily chat to anyone friendly.
Have a few safe things you could chat about in mind and just see how it goes. I'm sure you will make her day.

acornsandnuts · 26/01/2017 16:58

That's lovely. I think she would really appreciate it.

MapMyMum · 26/01/2017 16:59

YANBU, Id do it! Maybe say it was so lovely talking to her and you wondered if she'd managed to find the person she was looking for. Id avoid saying you thought she might like the company (I know you didnt say you would say that!) as my great aunty gets very insulted if anyone insinuates she could be lonely/need help etc! Sounds like a lovely thing to do OP!

ohfourfoxache · 26/01/2017 16:59

You sound lovely Thanks

Narnian · 26/01/2017 17:03

I get a few calls a day for a GP surgery, the number of the surgery and my number are the same except their last digit is 4 and mine is 7.

A lot of elderly folk who've mid-dialled often tell me their problems anyway after I've told them its the wrong number. I always feel sorry for them and will chat to them as long as I can. It's such a shame that there are so many lonely people out there.

Give her a ring back tomorrow OP. You sound lovely Flowers

CockacidalManiac · 26/01/2017 17:05

I'd imagine she'd be very pleased.

girlelephant · 26/01/2017 17:15

You sound like a lovely person

Original poster
notsurehowtodothis · 26/01/2017 17:25

Oh wow okay, not so weird after all then! Yikes, suddenly feel a bit nervous! Shall call her tomorrow and see how she is. Thanks all! X

OP posts:
Lemond1fficult · 26/01/2017 17:35

Please do call her! With the slight caveat that you should only do so if you're not the kind of person who's not good at sticking with things.

I say this because I met an elderly lady living near my mum when I was about 13. She was very lonely, and I visited a few times but eventually tailed off, as I know teens are wont to do. I still feel so guilty about it as an adult that I even ended up naming my cat after her. (Yes, I know this is weird).

FrancisCrawford · 26/01/2017 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoraPirbright · 26/01/2017 17:40

What a lovely person you are! The world would be a better place if there were more people like you in it! Flowers

Original poster
notsurehowtodothis · 26/01/2017 17:41

That's not weird Lemon, it's actually very sweet that experience left an impression!

OP posts:
HughLauriesStubble · 26/01/2017 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CrispPacket · 26/01/2017 17:55

I spent a few days in hospital last year and then a few more for follow ups etc, I'm in DVT clinic quite a bit and meet some lovely 'older' people that I'll have some super chats with and they'll often say how much better they feel after or how they havent laughed like that in ages etc...I dont do anything special but chat to them...I always find it makes me feel so happy that I could do that tiny thing for them but also so sad that theyre so lonely and are so thankful for a little chat... :( I'd definitely call OP :)

Patriciathestripper1 · 26/01/2017 17:59

What s lovely thing to do! It's the sort of thing I would like to do if I wasn't selfish with my time Flowers

ladymariner · 26/01/2017 18:07

You are lovely!! Such a nice thing to do.....let us know how it went xx

HiggeldyPiggeldy · 26/01/2017 18:12

that sounds a lovely thing to do, so sad that so many people are so isolated

PollytheDolly · 26/01/2017 18:14

Awww call her. I would. Could be the start of a beautiful friendship xx

greeeen · 26/01/2017 19:03

That's a lovely thought! Really hope you decide to call her back Smile

Magzmarsh · 26/01/2017 19:07

Our number is one digit away from the local Catholic Church, I get lots of calls from elderly people who think they're talking to the priest, it's quite disconcerting when they're distressed or ill 😕. I think you sound nice op and much kinder than me 😎

MaxPepsi · 26/01/2017 19:18

What a lovely thing to do.

Hope you have some great conversations 😊

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 26/01/2017 19:23

Call her. You've reminded me to ring an old lady of my acquaintance.

EZA15 · 26/01/2017 21:49

That's a lovely thing to do - I'd be too nervous that I wouldn't know what to talk about!