I made food deliveries this week and two struck me hard.

Both White women in their 70's with pretty severe mobility issues.

The first I was to call so she could come down and open the door for me..It is in a rooming house over a bar, well known in town...This was the first time I had been inside..The staircase is original and had its old good bones. C had descended to open the door for me..after our greetings, she said "I can't wait to move from here!"..She struggled to climb the stairs with me as I brought her bag of produce up to her door..The hall was FILTHY and the stench of stale cigarettes was overpowering. This building is currently for sale for over a million, btw.

Next stop is B, who asked that I give her 40 minutes so she could get dressed and come down. She met me at the door with a cart for her to lug her things to her room. Behind her was an amazing sight..All old beautiful woodwork of this original mansion, now senior housing.

Both women are about the same age and disability..but their living situations and temperaments were so different..one with smiles, chatty, one with near tears in her eyes...matching their living situations.

This is old age for White America. Imagine for those of color.

I still cannot stop thinking of our encounters.

Thank you for this poignant post.

This is an injustice so many years after the Great Depression (and it was an injustice then).