I remember the day
when you arrived
fresh and flush
from taking a spin
the 98th
to be exact
around the sun
to the place
at Piners
besides my mother
'she reminds me of little gram' - my mother's mother
who welcomed you
with arms wide
into this new world
The two old ladies
'two peas in a pod'
you two shared
stories
struggles
but mostly
laughter
the two snarky sage crones
with all the nursing know how
how to do the damned job right
like back in the day
'our day' - you would
whisper across the rail
my mother echoing
loudly in assent
as the aides
once again ignored
the call light
for their cell screens
muttering mexican vulgarities
as they passed by
When the crowned beast
clawed you two apart
you found your way back to each other
whispering secrets and hot goss
through the bathroom door
lazily left ajar
Nothing could keep you two apart
the soul sisters
with matching floral brocade
walkers
walking together
down the dank halls
out to the garden courtyard
"We are giving a fashion show"
Every visit
even the one's at the sliding door
during the month long lockdown
I relished your company
your bright gleaming smile
and all that sass
I relished
decorating the bleak windows and walls
with the changing seasons
floral, foliage, faux flickering candles
festive tinsel and twinkling Christmas lights
savoring your guidance, however impatient
like a freshly baked plate of cookies
Even with all the pain
of a broken body
You never sat still, always go go go
'she is out running death' - my mother would say
when I asked where you were
but when you were siting still
you were devouring a mystery novel
or painting a vibrant window cling
My birthday gift -
a colorful mandala
still casting rainbows in my kitchen
in the late afternoon sun
We toasted
Your 99th
twirl
around the incurious sun
on the day
the actual day
for the first and only time you could remember
(and you remembered everything)
for it had been always postponed
for
picnics and parades
pyrotechtic pomp and circumstance
"You definitely came into the world with a bang!" - my mother teased
The sun rose and set
but once
and my mother watched you
wheel
out
of Piners
to the Queen of the Valley
one
last time
where surrounded by family
the flowers from my mother
and dixie land jazz filling the air
you let go
no more pain
and left this world
your light
still illuminating the sky
Every time I see fireworks, but most of all on July 4th - your birthday, I think of you, hear your wicked humor and laughter like firecrackers. I am ever grateful for the brilliance and sparkle and the love you brought into our lives.
Dorothy Hoffman
July 4 1923 - July 9 2022
" I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done"
Camp NaNoWriMo Day 4
#100daysforLionel
Beautiful tribute.
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