[ScrapgirlCindy]

I went to the park today with my dog. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day. I was totally enjoying my time there when a woman of my age on a bike stopped to ask me about my dog and oh, how cute he is, etc. All seemed normal enough. Then she changed subjects to herself and started talking and talking and talking. I was astounded at home much personal health information she was sharing with me. She was a total stranger to me! I nodded politely from time to time. My dog was getting impatient with me. I thought for sure she would be on her way but no she just went on and on about her health issues, her career, her family, etc. I was polite and tried to take an interest in what she was telling me. She had obviously been through a lot. At the same time I felt it was quite rude of her to monopolize my time. I finally excused myself after nearly 25 minutes of it. It put me in a bad mood because I had to leave at that point and was irritated that not only did I not get to enjoy the park, but I felt drained. I've had some time to think about it and can only conclude that the Lord put this woman in my path (literally) for a reason. Thanks for listening. I just had to get that off my chest. It was just a bad day overall but this really bothered me the most.

[SodScrap]

OH grrr....some people are selfish like that. Maybe she came across your path so that you might remember her in prayer...

[jode2771]

I find the best way to deal with things like this is to look on the positive: you are lucky because you do not have her issues, you have a large circle of friends and family to share your problems with and you have the good grace not to do this to another person... she seems to have been lonely and desperately wanted someone to talk to. You probably made her day :-) Smile about that. And as she was a stranger don't waste your energy on being upset with her :-)

[Smiles]

She sounds like an energy vampire to me...they can really drain you. Give yourself lots of self care!

[Sara Arell]

She sounds as if maybe she was a very lonely woman who just needed someone to talk to and I think she was blessed to find you - I know it's a huge drain on your energy but try and think of it as you did something very nice by listening to this woman even though it caused you some inner turmoil. God Bless You for spending a few minutes with her - I'll bet you made her day too!

[Belle]

I'm a people magnet. Just standing in a queue at the shops people will tell me their life stories. I actually enjoy it. It can take up a lot of your time sometimes but maybe she really just needed to talk. Go well. Hugs.

[elibar]

I hope you're feeling better and recovering from your bad day. I will hope and pray along side you that God will use this chance encounter to give a blessing to someone or more than one. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8.28

[AggieB]

That can be really frustrating. I know someone like that that you are afraid to let them start talking. Someone suggested to me that it was a nervous habit. As several have said, just chalk it up to your good deed for the day.

[SodScrap]

jode2771, on 26 September 2012 - 09:59 PM, said:

I find the best way to deal with things like this is to look on the positive: you are lucky because you do not have her issues, you have a large circle of friends and family to share your problems with and you have the good grace not to do this to another person... she seems to have been lonely and desperately wanted someone to talk to. You probably made her day :-) Smile about that. And as she was a stranger don't waste your energy on being upset with her :-)

Very well said Jody!

[ValerieT]

Ben's a magnet for people who want to talk. It's so hard to get away sometimes, and I refuse to be rude to anyone. As Aggie said, it's a good deed done. What I do now is to add extra time, if I know I need to walk with Ben to our destination.

[ScrapgirlCindy]

Thanks ladies, I do feel that I helped her in some way and I know a lot more about her medical condition as she was very well versed in it and perhaps that knowledge will come in handy some where down the line!

[LaLo1103]

I also have that magnet on my back, but what you did was really nice! Consider it your good deed for the week!

[AnnBK]

That's me all over...the emotionally needy seem to find me in a crowd. I try to tell myself that they are hurting in some way and just need a sounding block. I figure maybe that's why I was put in this earth and try to listen as long as I can...but don't give them your phone number!

[mimes1]

I just saw this Cindy, and I would propose that you are right - Perhaps God put her in your path for her benefit, not yours. Maybe just by having a kind ear you encouraged her to a point of making a difference in her day, if not her life.

[KatieGrace]

Everyone has been given gifts and yours may be a sympathetic ear. Some people just need to talk and your listening was certainly a gift to her. I have been called upon to reassure people who need to talk too. I don't know what to do about a neighbor though. She lives across the street and I have gotten into the habit of looking to see if she is out before going out to the mailbox to collect my mail. I'm willing to listen a little, but she has been known to tie up a neighbor for 5 hours. She just comes and sits on your front step and it is difficult to get rid of her. Her husband is retired and home with her so it's not that she is lonely. Any suggestions on how to shorten the conversation?

[Sara Arell]

KatieGrace, on 01 October 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

Everyone has been given gifts and yours may be a sympathetic ear. Some people just need to talk and your listening was certainly a gift to her. I have been called upon to reassure people who need to talk too. I don't know what to do about a neighbor though. She lives across the street and I have gotten into the habit of looking to see if she is out before going out to the mailbox to collect my mail. I'm willing to listen a little, but she has been known to tie up a neighbor for 5 hours. She just comes and sits on your front step and it is difficult to get rid of her. Her husband is retired and home with her so it's not that she is lonely. Any suggestions on how to shorten the conversation?

Oh, yes! I have the same issue here - my response is (often) "I'd love, love, love to hear more, but I just have so much to do and so little time to do it in"! Always works for me!

[LaughingSun]

Sara Arell, on 27 September 2012 - 12:29 AM, said:

She sounds as if maybe she was a very lonely woman who just needed someone to talk to and I think she was blessed to find you - I know it's a huge drain on your energy but try and think of it as you did something very nice by listening to this woman even though it caused you some inner turmoil. God Bless You for spending a few minutes with her - I'll bet you made her day too!

very well said Sara. I hope that your day is much better sweetie!

[Durin]

elibar, on 27 September 2012 - 05:43 AM, said:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8.28

You may have been just what she needed to get through the day.

And I am going to remember this verse next time this happens to me.

[Smiles]

KatieGrace, on 01 October 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

Everyone has been given gifts and yours may be a sympathetic ear. Some people just need to talk and your listening was certainly a gift to her. I have been called upon to reassure people who need to talk too. I don't know what to do about a neighbor though. She lives across the street and I have gotten into the habit of looking to see if she is out before going out to the mailbox to collect my mail. I'm willing to listen a little, but she has been known to tie up a neighbor for 5 hours. She just comes and sits on your front step and it is difficult to get rid of her. Her husband is retired and home with her so it's not that she is lonely. Any suggestions on how to shorten the conversation?

If you have something in the oven or boiling on the stove, of course you have to go catch it before it burns....

And I wouldn't assume that she's not lonely with her husband home. Retirement is a big adjustment. Besides, there's nothing like talking to another woman - we just speak a different language.

[KatieGrace]

Smiles, on 01 October 2012 - 11:57 PM, said:

KatieGrace, on 01 October 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

Everyone has been given gifts and yours may be a sympathetic ear. Some people just need to talk and your listening was certainly a gift to her. I have been called upon to reassure people who need to talk too. I don't know what to do about a neighbor though. She lives across the street and I have gotten into the habit of looking to see if she is out before going out to the mailbox to collect my mail. I'm willing to listen a little, but she has been known to tie up a neighbor for 5 hours. She just comes and sits on your front step and it is difficult to get rid of her. Her husband is retired and home with her so it's not that she is lonely. Any suggestions on how to shorten the conversation?

If you have something in the oven or boiling on the stove, of course you have to go catch it before it burns....

And I wouldn't assume that she's not lonely with her husband home. Retirement is a big adjustment. Besides, there's nothing like talking to another woman - we just speak a different language.

So true. I have heard that her husband belittles her but she is devoted to him. She does think all the neighbors are talking about her though. She's really very nice just too time consuming. I have used that I'm expecting a call since my daughters do call several times a day.