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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:
OohhItsNotHoxton · 26/01/2017 22:09

I'd phone her. Hell I'd invite her for Sunday lunch or see if she needed any shopping doing.

Original poster
notsurehowtodothis · 27/01/2017 13:06

Thanks everyone! I have called her back this morning and explained that I wanted to check if she had managed to get through to who she was trying to reach just in case she needed anything urgently etc. We had a lovely little chat although she was reluctant to give her name, which I can fully understand as I could be absolutely anybody, so I told her she didn't need to give me her name but I gave her mine and number should she ever need to talk to anyone or needs some help. From our conversation I did glean she is having an operation soon so I might give her a call in a week or two to see if she needs anything before then as from what I can gather she definitely doesn't seem to have support nearby, although I could be wrong. Anyway, somewhat selfishly, it has cheered me up no end. I had had a bit of a shitty morning up to that point!!

OP posts:
StarBurger · 27/01/2017 13:08

People like you restore my faith in humanity..

Ohdearducks · 27/01/2017 14:42

This is so lovely, hope this is the start of a lovely friendship for you both Flowers

Original poster
notsurehowtodothis · 27/01/2017 21:24

It's just so sad to think of how many isolated elderly people there must be out there. Probably even on our very doorsteps but we don't realise... It's definitely made me think.

OP posts:
Greenfingeredfun · 27/01/2017 21:27

This is lovely! Smile

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 27/01/2017 21:34

Do it!

Many years ago, an old lady accidentally phoned me and after hearing my son in the background (2 at the time,) chatted away about being a mum and what her kids were like when they were babies. She asked if she could phone every so often for a chat as it was nice to talk to someone.

Bless her :)

Zafodbeeblbrox10 · 27/01/2017 22:13

Bless you OP.. Your thread has brought a tear to my eye!

Icantstopeatinglol · 27/01/2017 22:16

You sound so lovely op, you're a star Star

RaeSkywalker · 27/01/2017 22:19

So chuffed that I read this thread before going to bed. You are lovely OP, I feel all warm and glory now Smile

CatsRidingRollercoasters · 27/01/2017 22:22

This thread has restored my faith in humanity.

You're quite right OP - there must be so very many lonely people on our doorsteps. I'm now wondering about good ways to meet them. Any ideas on good ways to meet people?

glueandstick · 27/01/2017 22:22

This almost makes me want to plug the landline back in. You're a lovely person.

impostersyndrome · 27/01/2017 22:26

You sound like a sweetheart. It's reminded me of this charity I've heard about called Contact the Elderly: www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/, which seems to be filling a very necessary gap.

cunningartificer · 27/01/2017 22:30

Great work op !!!! Well done, good call Wink

wishparry · 27/01/2017 22:39

You have a beautiful soul.I used to work in care homes and I have encountered too many times for my liking too often,just how lonely some people are.
I was probably not the right person to work in care,as it would upset me to tears to hear how lonely some people were and it made it even worse that the bosses cared more about making a prophit than they did for the well-being of their patients/residents.so if i finished meeting the basic needs of somebody,and they were still trying to talk to me and make friendly conversation,I'd have to cut them short and move on to washing/dressing the next person Angry

Clandestino · 27/01/2017 22:47

What you did was lovely. Very kind and you made someone's day.

BeastofCraggyIsland · 27/01/2017 22:51

That's so lovely, the nicest thing I've heard about all day, good on you OP Star

Ohyesiam · 27/01/2017 22:58

Op, the world needs more people like you.

Evilstepmum01 · 27/01/2017 23:00

I think that's very kind of you, she'll be very pleased. I speak to a lonely older lady like this, she has disabilities and her face is malformed so she never leaves the house. Thru work I've spoken to her more and more until now we speak every Monday and Friday. I look forward to talking to her as she's just lovely! She's got carers but no family so she does get lonely. She's always apologising for taking up my time but my boss doesn't mind and we are a social enterprise so we help people anyway. She's a good laugh so I enjoy our wee chats! Hope you have a nice chat OP 😀

Evilstepmum01 · 27/01/2017 23:00

I think that's very kind of you, she'll be very pleased. I speak to a lonely older lady like this, she has disabilities and her face is malformed so she never leaves the house. Thru work I've spoken to her more and more until now we speak every Monday and Friday. I look forward to talking to her as she's just lovely! She's got carers but no family so she does get lonely. She's always apologising for taking up my time but my boss doesn't mind and we are a social enterprise so we help people anyway. She's a good laugh so I enjoy our wee chats! Hope you have a nice chat OP 😀

Introvertedbuthappy · 27/01/2017 23:06

Well done, what a lovely thing to do. I bet she'll appreciate your offer of help. Also thank you for this thread, it's been a long, hard, shit week but I'm glad I read this thread before going to sleep Flowers.

Pumpkintopf · 27/01/2017 23:08

Lovely of you op. Well done Flowers

DrAmeliaShepherd · 27/01/2017 23:09

OP you are a beautiful person with a very kind heart Flowers

DanGleballs · 27/01/2017 23:15

What an amazing opportunity to make a difference to someone else's life. Poor woman, being lonely is awful. It might make all the difference to her knowing someone cares.

If it feels awkward and unwelcome don't do it again.