July 30, 2024 - MOMMY and ME – BLOG # 021– MOMMY AND MARY GOT ME THIS TIME

 Her caregiver, “Mary,” (whom I refer to as our Angel – see Blog #008, dated April 8, 2008) shared lots of good times and not so good times with us. Without Mary, I believe that Mommy would not have lived as long as she did.  Mary sustained Mommy’s existence. As a son, the scope of my caring for Mommy was limited. But by God’s grace, Mary was referred to me by a good friend. She and Mommy hit it off right away, becoming an item . . . where there’s Mommy, there was Mary.  

 

I recall it being late morning or early afternoon when it was time to test Mommy’s in-home security system. It was the one designed to monitor Mommy’s activity in her home, where assistance was a push button away. Once a month, we were to test the system by having Mommy do a mock call for assistance. So, I came over and called the system and initiated the test call. The operator answered, stating “Hello Ms. Gertrude . . . are you OK?” As Mommy sat at the kitchen table and Mary was standing peering out the kitchen window, Mommy replied, “Who is that calling my name?”  I stated, “Mommy that’s the security lady . . . we’re testing the system just like we do each month . . . talk to her.”  Realizing that Mommy seemed confused, she stated again, “Hi Ms. Getrude, how are you doing?”

 

Mommy – “Who’s that calling my name?”

 

Me – “Mommy it’s the security lady . . . we’re testing the system so come on, play along.”

 

Security Lady – “Hello Ms. Gertrude.”

Mommy – “Who is that calling my name?’’

 

I felt myself becoming a bit frustrated, noticing a peculiar look on Mommy’s face. I think I saw Mary sort of turn sideways from me, looking out of the kitchen window not saying anything. Mommy again did not cooperate with the security lady at all. By now, I’m just not understanding what Mommy is doing and I’m losing it. It’s a rather serious thing to test the security system and have everything in working order, just in case. We finally completed the call, and the test was over. Mary was on edge a bit, but Mommy (who really could keep a straight face if she wanted to) held it just long enough. I remember, even as a little boy, how she fooled me sometimes in the same way.

Mommy and Mary knew me that way and decided to mess with me that day. I can’t remember the security lady’s reaction(s). Mind you, it took me several years to realize that Mommy and Mary were just playing a game with me, they were having a ball! I was, just like always, almost blown out as to why Mommy was foiling the test on purpose. Little did I know that Mommy, and Mary too (I think) decided to mess with “Guy.” I never talked to Mary about the prank, but it was a good one, they got me good.

Mary became family to Mommy and me. Doctor’s visits, shopping, church . . . it didn’t matter, Mary was Mommy’s sidekick; they were inseparable. With no one else to depend on, Mary and I forged on to keep Mommy happy and to keep that great smile that she always had on her face. BUT THEY GOT ME THIS TIME.

July 7, 2024 – MOMMY and ME – BLOG # 0020 – RUNNING INTO AN OLD COLLEAGUE AT THE PARTY

Mommy had settled into her new home already and became really comfortable.  Mary had not yet come on the scene and Mommy was getting around pretty well. It was May and our flowers were planted, and the grass was looking really nice. We liked to wander around in our connected yards as Mommy pointed out little things that she didn’t like to look at . . . like that “ole shed,” she called it. It was an old metal shed that I patched together, surrounded by ground foliage. She wanted me to get rid of it, but I thought that it gave the yard a bit of character.

As we wandered, I suddenly came up with a great idea . . . a backyard birthday party on her 90^TH birthday, July 7. I’d invite the seniors’ organizations from the church and the Beechwood Center. No cooking or fussing with food but catering the whole thing instead. As the time came closer, my cousin Nancy would come to town from Chattanooga to help. I hired a friend’s catering company for the food and a tent company for a large tent in the yard for shade.

 

The weather was just right, and Mommy felt well. The sun was warm, and the large tent was just in time. Nancy handled games with most of the seniors from the church which was a lot of fun. The food was great, and Mommy’s Fellowship members were really happy for her.

There was one gentleman that was in attendance that both Mommy and I hadn’t seen in many years. He was one of my mentors that helped mold me and several other boys by way of an organization called the “Cub Scouts.” He was my “Den Dad”, Mr. Patton. He was the father of a good friend, a high school partner of mine who was in the Cub Scouts with me. He and Mommy (who was our “Den Mother”), were our leaders of Den #2, Wolf Pack 1556. Mommy hadn’t seen Mr. Patton in a long time, and it was the most pleasant reunion EVER. It was one of those times that Mommy just gleamed, smiling from ear to ear. Mommy didn’t notice Mr. Patton was there at first. I watched as Mommy mingled and finally ran into him at the party. I snapped the picture as they stood and reminisced. It was a good time for Mommy.