Good to see you on my walk today! I know I have been away for a while. Seems I veered off the path and journeyed to a land full of white coats. Not for me, but for my husband who continues his journey of recovery that is now beginning the fifth year. You can read the entire story from my book, "Now We Have Hope", amazon.com, or you can follow my other blog, leekanipe.BlogSpot.com.
You know how you have been told that eventually we all begin to look like one of our parents? This is true! I doubted it for years, wondering how in the world I could look like my Mother, knowing that I looked more like my Father, or so I thought! I guess I needed another person to confirm my suspicion that maybe I had been wrong.
I happened to be asked to join a group of fellow classmates from long ago to plan a reunion for all graduates of our particular school. During one of those meetings, one of the committee members, a male upperclassman made the comment as we greeted each other. We had not seen each other in thirty years or so, and along with attending the same schools, we also grew up in the same small community. He was still quite handsome, and you can imagine my surprise when he exclaimed very loudly (so that all could hear), "Why, you look just like your Mother"!
Later, as I was driving home, I pondered his salutation, and decided that he must be getting a little dementia and probably had mistaken me for my older sister, who indeed does look like my Mother. I did see myself a little differently when I looked in the mirror that evening. As my Mother peered back at me, I dismissed it and decided I was tired and would look more like myself in the morning. As the weeks passed, I became more and more aware of my traits, passed genetically to me. I have her physique, her straight back, good posture, slender body, and her hands and her feet. Every time I prepare a meal, I see her in my kitchen, working along side as her hands stir the bowl, or pour the ingredients.
I am reminded of one of our last evenings dining out. She loved to go to the BBQ Barn in our neighborhood. Most of all, she enjoyed listening to the blue-grass music band after dinner. On that evening, as she was approaching eighty plus years old, she was feeling very well. Other than Alzhiemer's, she was in good physical condition. As we were relaxing at our table, watching the dancers and listening to the music, my Mother was approached by a gentleman who invited her to dance with him. Before I could tell her NO, she bounced from her chair and accepted his offer. I watched as she swayed to the rhythm of the slow music, and as she looked into his face and smiled from time to time. In that short period of time, I saw my Mother as a young girl who was enjoying the flirtation from this stranger.
After the dance, he escorted her to our table and thanked her for the dance. She smiled and told him she enjoyed it. A few minutes passed and the band began playing a fast tune. The gentleman returned and once again, Mom was up and going. I was amazed at her agility, even though I knew my older sister would kill me when we got home. Sure enough, when I shared our story, she declared no more nights out with the band because mom might fall and break her hip! Mom and I giggled together when we listened to her worry. After all, we had a wonderful evening together!
Glad I look like my Mom!
Enjoyed the walk! See you next time.....................Brenda
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