May 2024

Dear Family and Friends, 

IT’S ABSOLUTELY A-MAY-ZING ! At least in my estimation, that the dozen orchids that line our window sills and tables, which I carefully watched go from bud to blossom in late January and early February, are still as bright and beautiful today as the day they opened. I know eventually they will begin to lose pedals, but at this rate I’m sure it won’t be for another 3 or 4 months. Yes, True’s orchids are ‘truly’ amazing! I’m convinced it’s because of the special care they receive at her hand. True feeds each one its weekly diet of 2 ice cubes, she talks to them and tells them how beautiful they are. And she says that they like being placed with others because then they can talk to each other. I have a little trouble swallowing that one, but maybe it’s true because her delicate “hard to grow” orchid plants really thrive under her watchful eye. Anyway, I certainly enjoy having them available for my watchful eye, too.

Yes, True is ‘truly’ amazing! She has a very trim little figure and looks to be at least 20 years younger than her age. She is strong as a horse (lifts 30 pound dumbbells), eats only organic foods and specialty items blended as a smoothie, eggs and a little lean meat but no sweets, and seems to be very healthy. She is constantly 'on the go’ as she keeps up with all the yard work, watering, gardening, bird feeding, etc. on the outside, plus all the inside house work, laundry, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, etc., and still manages to see to my needs as well. Somehow, she also manages to the gym on a regular basis, and is updating a book or novel she began years ago but never quite finished. She uses every ‘quiet’ moment she can grab to work on it.

Although Linda, who lives in town, takes me to all my appointments with doctors and to D.U.P. and other activities, it is still True who takes me to the hairdresser nearby, and to Church in town when the Jacobs from the Park are not available. She also delivers the ‘sunshine’ cards I write to residents in all parts of the Park, and even helps me get out of trouble when using the computer and sends a copy of these monthly letters to Dan for my email friends. All these extras use up time, and how she does keep up with all of it and leads classes, I’ll never know. Honestly, I marvel at how fast she can accomplish each difficult task and yet make it seem easy. I am so thankful that my wonderful daughter agreed to live here with me and take on these responsibilities. She is definitely my “life saver” and I love her deeply. I try not to treat her as a servant in my requests, but to always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and to compliment her for her efforts.

Now as for me, I am still enjoying good health, although I don’t eat the same food that True eats. She’s very accommodating in fixing for me the kind of food I like and am used to. After having been off the leg (Buddy) for a while, due to the sore at the end of the stump, I’m just getting back into its daily use again. I put it on in the morning, and using the 3 wheeled walker, I walk around through the house several times for a while, or until it begins to hurt. I take it off, do some reading or writing or whatever, then put it on again in the afternoon for some more trips around the house. So, little by little I’m getting used to it again, but I'm still not really confident in using it full time yet. And since it fully depends upon how the inner sleeve is put on in the first place as to whether it will hurt or not, I am never sure how each new fitting is going to feel when pressure is put on the leg. Always a touch-and-go situation.

Because the 3 wheeler is of much lighter weight than the wheelchair, I like to use it when I go outside and to my various activities. But it does require that I can sit myself properly on whatever chair is being used at the activity. So I practice sitting and rising from regular chairs, with and without arms, a folding chair with no arms, and a higher stool without arms or back, the kind we have at our kitchen table. I’m still trying to learn how to scoot the chair I’m sitting in up closer to the table. It takes coordination. I find that everything I do requires strength in my arms as well as my leg, so, I’m trying to increase my time with my 5 pound weights and stretchy band, saying to myself, every time True goes to the gym is the time for me to exercise here at home. That gives me a specific time to do it, which is much better.

Throughout the months of late April and early May, I have been able to attend my regular activities plus a few extras. At the clubhouse we had a great Chili Feed that was very well attended by ones that are not usually seen there. I was invited to attend a Tea Party at the Church, where we were served by several young children and ate miniature servings of various foods. Though it was put on by the sisters of our ward, it was limited to just elderly sisters (who were encouraged to wear a dress and a hat)! Not having a hat, I didn’t know what to do, but luckily while at the beauty shop that morning, Norma was able to supply me with one that had a big purple ribbon on it. So I quickly went back home and changed to my nice purple dress to match it, and was able to feel comfortable among the others with their lovely hats. Our pictures were taken, but I’m not sure if they will appear someplace or not. Anyway, it was a fun day.

When attending any kind of gathering, I try to always have a supply of puzzles appropriate for the occasion ready to share. The puzzles are handed out along with small pencils to everyone present, to be worked on there or taken home to do. They are a fairly simple word search type, but because they do go backwards and diagonally they do present a bit of a challenge, but that’s what makes them a “puzzle.” Now that I have one for every occasion, even Cinco de Mayo, there’s no need to make any more. So now I’ll keep using the same ones year after year, unless I find some other kinds along the way.

I’ll close this letter by mentioning about the visit we had from True’s long time friend Kathi and her husband Russell from Portland, who stopped here overnight on their way to Palm Springs to visit a friend of theirs who is in the last stages of ALS or Lou Gherig’s disease. They said that the poor dear has trouble with her hands and feet and is now unable to speak, but maintains the best and brightest attitude of anyone they know. I think it’s wonderful that they would make the long journey to see her and be with her in her present condition, for what they are sure may be their last time. That’s real friendship! And an example we should all try to emulate. I’ll close now by wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, along with a prayer that the Lord’s blessings of care and protection may be with you until we meet again about this same time next month. I will add, please be safe and know that I love you. 

Marie