Forever Autumn

Today I visited one of our more eccentric church members - a German lady, 86 year old Gretchen - and her cat Autumn.
I blocked out the whole afternoon in my diary as you can never make a 'quick visit' to Gretchen!
The front door to Gretchen's flat was wide open and although I assumed this was because she was expecting me, I was cautious as I knocked on the door and entered. Gretchen has had some rather unsavoury neighbours in the past and part of me wondered what I would find when I went into the lounge.
But all was well and Gretchen was in the little kitchen which leads straight off the lounge.
It was obvious from the smell - rancid pet food and a cat smell - that Gretchen's cat Autumn was still part of the little family.
The smell together with the fact that Gretchen likes to keep warm and isn't in the least way houseproud - meant that as I was invited to sit down I was having trouble breathing!

'Can you take chives? I have homemade soup', called Gretchen from the kitchen.
My stomach heaved at the thought of eating and I hurriedly said- quite truthfully - that had eaten, and that no I didn't want a drink either!

The flat is to put it politely, cluttered and not particularly clean -there are stacks of papers, magazines and envelopes on every available surface. Chairs are covered with towels - which look as if Autumn has been sleeping on them - but Gretchen appears oblivious to this as is cheerful - although she suffers with many ailments - including her 'water works'

Conversation covered a number of topics connected with Gretchen's 'water works', and I was shown punnets of blueberries and cartons of Blueberry juice which would help with the problem, along with a multi-pack of toilet tissue purchased from Iceland in town as it was cheapest there and would be needed for the 'water works'!
Gretchen doesn't drink much tea but the Ringtons man delivers regularly to her - so I was given 320 tea bags to take to the church along with a large bag of sugar also deemed surplus to requirements!

As Gretchen has been to church on a Sunday for a while she decided that I was a safe person to take her weekly collection envelope with me to put in the offering this coming week - her loyalty and responsibility to the fellowship are quite commendable.

Conversation continued and I heard about Gretchen's nephew who lives in Australia but who is hoping to visit her when comes to Holland on business later this year. He and his friend took Gretchen to Berlin last year - they had a good time even though Gretchen had to be careful not to drink coffee or tea because of her water works! She also told me about ordering what she expected to be mango juice for breakfast in the hotel and being surprised by being served a piece of fruit!

I'd been there well over an hour and was beginning to try to take my leave when a face appeared at the window - it was Autumn wanting to be let in. The window was duly opened and Autumn clambered in to the encouragement of the promise of 'munchies'!

Autumn is a beautiful cat - the colour of autumn - shades of brown, and cream and is obliviously 'co-owner' of the flat.

As I left, Autumn followed me out with Gretchen who walked me to my car - along with the tea bags and sugar and offering money- Gretchen was going to visit an elderly lady in the next block of flats.

As I pulled away and drove home I reflected on this fiercely independent lady and her equally independent cat - they are both content - and OK, the flat is not pristine, but they are both thriving!