Article James and Effie Maloney
On the surface, 15 year-old James used to wonder why he’d always felt so lost and lonely with not much to laugh about. But deep down, he had more than an inkling of what the real problem was.
He was well aware his mother had abandoned him when he was three and his father, hopelessly addicted to gambling, wasn’t much better. James hardly ever saw him and could not remember ever receiving a word of praise for something he had done or a warm hug to make him feel wanted.
School meant little to him, and he was left to fend for himself. So he’d spend his days roaming the streets on his bike in search of something to assuage his emptiness. He found it in the likable persona of Old Effie Maloney.
A warm smile. For some strange reason, no matter how far he roamed, he would find himself gravitating back toward her little house just down the road from him. She invariably greeted him with a warm smile and took a great interest in him, his bike, and whatever else made him tick.
Never in his entire life had anyone ever made him feel so special and eased the pain of his loneliness. She had the knack of learning all about him without divulging much about herself. All he knew about her was that many years ago, the man she loved had abandoned her for another and broken her heart. She’d lived alone ever since.
As the weeks went by, they became good friends, and young James would make sure his wanderings always ended up in front of her home. One day, Effie happened to mention that she needed a little help in the garden and would he like to earn some pocket money helping her. Would he? James jumped at the chance. So began a relationship that, for the first time ever, real sunshine shone into his life.
One day, after a hot afternoon in the garden, Effie said, “I thought you might like something to eat, so I’ve cooked you a nice dinner.”
James later recalled, “It was absolutely sensational… The plate was stacked to overflowing, and it was the first homemade meal anyone had ever cooked for me!”
The mother he never had. In a short space of time, James had moved in with her as a boarder, and Old Effie had become the doting mother that little James had never had. He was now living in a home full of love and understanding and began to take up his studies again. Incredibly, these two lost souls, one a young lad of 15, the other an aging 75-year-old lady, found salvation in each other’s company when they needed it most.
For the next 10 years, they lived together as a loving mother and son until one day James had to face the harsh reality that Effie was growing frail. Her legs had become ulcerated, and she could hardly walk. Even more disturbing, she began showing signs of dementia. It wasn’t long before the heart-wrenching decision had to be made to move Effie into a nursing home.
Now it was James’ turn to look after this wonderful person who had rescued him from a lonely, uncaring world all those years ago and whom he loved so much. How could he just abandon her as had happened to him when he was a defenseless little toddler?
As Effie steadily deteriorated, the interesting thing was that although she recalled little of the past and who people were, she always remembered James and knew who he was – right up to the time she passed away with her beloved ‘son’ by her side.
James says that he can never repay the priceless legacy Effie endowed him with. She taught him to believe in himself, know his own self-worth, and make the most of who he is. As a result, he is now a successful businessman who holds his head up high and walks tall in the world. And no matter what the future holds for James, his unforgettable Effie will ever be the guiding light in his life.
© Laurie Smale Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Coach, and Author
ARTICLE // James and Effie Maloney
By Laurie Smale, Author, How to take the panic out of public speaking 🎤
How is it possible for a 15 year old and a 75 year old to find their way to each other?
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