Last year I was on a trip and called home from a layover. I got Sarah, who was very excited and told me there was a tornado warning! I could hear a siren in the background and Sarah asked me to call back after she and Mabel had gotten Dewie into the closet. So I hung up and worried for five minutes and called back. Sarah said everyone was OK. They were in the closet and she wanted a flashlight because the power had gone out. I told her where to find a flashlight and in a few seconds she started laughing. I asked what was going on and Sarah said, "Mom's laughing at us. When I turned on the flashlight, there she was just laughing. She thinks Mabel and I are funny with all our commotion."
So Dewie is not a worrier. She leaves that to the rest of us and she picks up our slack in the laughing department.
Dewie loves people. Then she gets tired. From her Mom, she inherited a penchant for brusque good-byes...
We were at the ALS Association support group meeting and it was over. People were lingering and visiting and the new director of the North Texas Chapter came over to say hello to us. She said she had seen us using the "alphabet board" and was intrigued by it. I was eager to show it off and so I picked it up and said we could demonstrate if Dewie wanted to say something, which she indicated that she did. So we spelled out Dewie's message, "L..e..t..s..G..o.", she said. "That's how it works.", I explained as we left the meeting.
Recently, Forrest and Feather were visiting and it was lunch time. Everyone was in the kitchen and I drove Dewie's wheelchair into the kitchen where she could be a part of the commotion. Lots of loud talking. Soon I noticed Mabel had taken Dewie back to the living room, so we all went in and joined her again, talking away. Dewie indicated she wanted to say something, so I picked up the board.
She spelled, "W..h..y..d..o..y..o..u..t..h..i..n..k..I..c..a..m..e..b..a..c..k..i..n..h..e..r..e?" Surprised that our conversation wasn't scintillating, we left her in peace.
I never know what to expect when I pick up the board.
-Pete
Hi Dewie!
ReplyDeleteGreat stories!! How well I remember you saying "let's go" when we we talking at the support group meeting! (smile) We have missed you the last two meetings and from reading your blog, I see that you were ill. I am so happy to read that you are doing better!!
Doris told me that Cheryl and Tim Best came over to see you. That's terrific!! I understand everyone had a great time! I would love to come and visit with you and Pete. I'll give you a call and find out a good time.
Take care and we'll talk soon!
You continue to be my teacher, Dewie, as you find a way to speak up for yourself, to have a voice. I delight in your way of doing so -- with humor but with directness. You are a delight! So glad to get your and Pete's notes on your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see some new news on your blog. I did get a laugh out of the "abrupt goodbye' comment re: Claudia (M.O.S.). I'd kind of forgotten that one. I'm glad to hear you came through the pneumonia OK. Not fun, I'm sure. All is well here. Casey finally graduated and has a job in Santa Barbara. I won't get to see him much as he is really busy but he is so lucky to have a good job in this economy!
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and Pete for staying in touch with us all!
Much Love,
Debba
Hi -- Just found the BLOG. It's so nice to have a way to stay in touch. I love all the posts. - Debbie Witter
ReplyDeleteI agree with tenpaw; the "Let's go" comment is so Claudia! Concise and to the point. :-)
ReplyDeleteDewie, have you come across the group Sones de México Ensemble? A while back they did a Spanish-language version of "This Land Is Your Land" that I like a lot. I have been listening to them lately after getting the CD "Esta Tierra Es Tuya" out for a friend, and it occurred to me that if you didn't already know about it, you might like it.
Hi Dewie and Pete,
ReplyDeleteLove the blog and look forward to reading many more updates! You two (and Sarah, Mabel and Maria) are all the best! Look forward to coming by and seeing you all again soon!
Love,
Dave
Just a note on what is apparently a family trait. At the end of my mother's lovely and candidly humorous wedding ceremony, I leaned across to Aunt Peggy Chilton signaling subtly that it was time for her to stand up from the front pew and escort Uncle Jack back up the aisle. She hesitated and looked uncertain, so Jack leaned forward and commanded, "Let's Go!" which was very effective!
ReplyDeleteDewie - I know you were there is spirit. The ceremony which heralded love as something you give and cannot earn, and emphasized cherishing others for who they are and as they are. The minister commented that he usually has words of wisdom for partners --- but since this time the partners were both 83, he doubted he could teach them anything! Although the church was packed, I sensed my mother and Don were focused only on each other, and unaware of the rest of us.
Thinking of you all,
Much love,
Tricia