Of course I laugh. In my heart though I am thinking Martha is right to remind the world she is not dead yet. In a society obsessed with material goods, speed and productivity Martha seems disposable. The dominant view of Martha is of an elderly, infirm, blind, unhappy woman. Some might even speculate she would be better of dead. And Martha herself, now housed in the last place she ever wanted to be, sometimes shares this speculation. But what about the world she will leave behind. Will it be better off?

I think not. You see when Martha leaves this world she’ll take a potent but invisible force with her; the force of caring. Martha does not know it but she has been a premier resource for caring in the town where she lives. Her impairments, vulnerabilities and stubbornness have been catalysts for kindness to blossom and a neighbourhood to be reborn.

Let me explain how what is least valued about Martha has unleashed what is most valuable. Prior to entering the nursing home Martha lived alone on the second floor of her two story home. She moved painstakingly with her walker between her bedroom and kitchen. She never went outside because of the stairs except when carried to an ambulance which happened occasionally.