On Getting Old -- 37

I received a call from the St. Matthew’s nursing home this evening. The nurse found Mom on the floor. She fell trying to put on her shoes. Apparently there was nothing evidently wrong with her. A slight bump on the fore head, and Mom complained of her sore shoulder.

The nurse assured me it was not necessary to come to the home. They would watch her closely for the next 72 hours.

Being a little shook up, Rosemary and I decide to go to the Pickwick, the neighborhood diner, for a little something to eat and talk about Mom.

After dinner we went home, and the telephone message machine blinked red. Oh, no, I thought. Something happened to Mom.

I clicked the play button. A tiny voice peeled from the machine. “Hi, Grandpa. This message is for you. Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy. Boing. Hi, ya kids. Hi, ya. Hi, ya.”

“Rosemary,” I called. “You have to hear this!” We both were delighted to hear Calvin’s voice. I think I buoyed up to the ceiling.

I immediately called back. Calvin picked up the receiver and repeated the message. I told him how happy I was to hear from him and that he remembered the opening to Smilin’ Ed’s program.

Let me tell you – from a day where I didn’t think I could find any candy – that phone call made me thank God that I was alive. You never know where your candy will come from. Just keep looking.


Ciao