I am seventy-three years old, retired, and I use a wheelchair. Many people assume that means my life has grown smaller, but that isn’t true. It has simply taken on a quieter shape. My world lives in my modest yard, where two young maple trees stretch upward beside tall evergreens, and a small garden changes with the seasons. I sweep snow from branches, shield trunks from winter winds, and refill the bird feeder each morning for finches and cardinals that arrive faithfully. That space gives me purpose, peace, and proof that I still nurture something alive.
When a new neighbor moved into the rental house next door, I hoped for kindness. Instead, bits of trash began appearing near my shrubs. At first, I cleaned it without comment. Then it continued—cups, wrappers, napkins—always near the shared line. One snowy morning, coffee in hand, I rolled outside and froze. A full bin of household waste had been dumped beneath my maples, staining the fresh snow. Clear footprints led straight from her door.
I calmly spoke to her, asking for respect. She laughed and brushed it off, saying I was outside every day anyway, so cleaning it up shouldn’t matter. Her words stung more than the mess itself.
What she didn’t know was that the property owner was my longtime friend. I had quietly documented everything. When I shared it, he acted immediately. Days later, moving boxes appeared, and soon the house stood empty.
The next morning, my yard was untouched—clean snow, quiet trees, and a cardinal shaking frost from its wings. I may move on wheels, but I am not invisible. My home is my sanctuary, and I remain its keeper.
