Christmas for grandkids is key for selfless Lima resident
Dec. 9—LIMA — Harley has bounced around the country for the last several years.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she moved to North Carolina for nearly five years to live with a friend who had lost his wife, then found herself in Lima to be close to her son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
Her son had come to Lima to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio. For him it was the classic fell-in-love-got-married-had-kids-and-settled-down love story.
Harley went back to North Carolina for a short time, but the pull of family drew her back to Lima earlier this year. She now lives on her own, but is finding it difficult to pay her bills on a fixed disability income.
"It really tough making ends meet right now," Harley said.
During her previous time of living in Lima she had taken advantage of some of the benefits provided by the Salvation Army.
"I went through their food bank and they helped me out with food, and they also got me a coat," Harley said of the local organization. "Then they got me signed up for their holiday assistance program."
Harley's needs are relatively simple, compared with hard times befallen by others. She could use basic kitchen accessories — pots and pans — along with curtains and perhaps some sheets and bedding.
Her daughter-in-law recently offered her a seven-foot artificial Christmas tree, "but I don't have any decorations for it," Harley said.
Mostly she would like to ensure her grandchildren — a 20-year-old grandson currently in the Army, a 16-year-old granddaughter and "my baby," a 10-year-old grandson — have a merry holiday season.
"Christmas is really up in the air right now. My brother in California said he'd send me some money so I could buy Christmas presents, but I don't know when that might arrive or how much it will be," she said.
The 10-year-old is "very much into electronics," especially things that help him learn, Harley said. Her granddaughter is studying cosmetology in school and "would love anything to do with cosmetics, I'm sure."
While struggling financially, Harley said she is happy to be in Lima.
"I don't get out much because I don't drive, but I like Lima. It's a nice city; a nice community. The Salvation Army is a real nice organization. They've been very helpful."
