Oh dear, I thought this might happen.  It is so long past the days I am writing about that so much seems to be lost.  Oh the perils of an older mind!  Oh well, I do remember the highlights.

I have a sister who does not like  her name mentioned.  Those who know her will recognize her by my story.  Those who don’t know her might be interested in what I have to say.  My sister has been deaf for many years.  Very frustrating to be a hearing person and lose your hearing due to family heredity.  Well, on Jan 9th of this year she had a cochlear implant in one ear.  On Monday the 16th I met her for lunch along with Aunt Esther and Aunt Vela.  When we greeted each other there were tears in both our eyes as she spoke to me and said “I hear your voice”.   It has been so many years

“continue reading…”

since we could communicate without either sign language (minimal use), writing, or acting out our message.  It was a very emotional moment and never ceased to amaze me how she could follow a conversation (with committed concentration) and hear almost everything spoken.  It was a moment I will never forget.   It was as if we had a renewal of our acquaintance.  There is such a barrier when you cannot hear.  I have another sister whose hearing loss causes her great difficulty to communicate.  Over the last few years I too was losing my hearing.  Hearing loss is something you don’t realize for awhile.  You turn the T.V. louder, wish people would stop mumbling, are unaware of what you are not hearing (for me it was birds and sounds behind me as well as the beginning and ending of words).  Life becomes a struggle and sometimes it is easier to withdraw than get the feeling that others think you are just “slow” in comprehension.  Well, I had something to tell my sister that I had not told her because it hurt me so to do so.  In October of 2013 I experienced a healing of my hearing.  I didn’t know how to tell her or my other sister because they still could not hear.  I had hoped and prayed for both that they too would be healed.  I do believe that my prayer was answered for one sister through the cochlear implant.  Well I told my oldest sister my news about my healing about a month before this meeting and then I told the other sister when we met for lunch.  She was so happy for me.

My sister in Arkansas and I spent part of the next two days enjoying each others company and getting caught up on our talking.  It was a remarkable experience.

Another interesting experience in my travel is finding gyms for workout sessions.  You would be surprised what I come across.  Well, in Russellville I was very fortunate to connect with BACK TO BASICS FITNESS CENTER which was very close to my Aunt’s house.   Very nice equipment and a friendly atmosphere.  I paid $10 for a week’s pass.   I worked out there every day that I was in Russellville (except on Sunday).  The owner was very helpful and showed me how to work the equipment I wasn’t familiar with.  While working out I was very impressed with one young man who seemed like a giant to me.  I watched him workout and viewed his physique as a work of art.  He was like a giant to me.  Well, after awhile (maybe like a minute) I got my nerve up to ask him if he would pose a certain way so I could get a picture of him.  Not only a picture of him posing, but with me posing in the picture the same way in front of him.  How could he say no to an “old” lady.  I don’t really feel old but no since in not using the “old” to your advantage when a circumstance calls for it.  So…he said yes.  The owner of the gym said he would be glad to take the picture.  So we posed and had our photo together.   It was only after the photo was taken that I was introduced to him and found out he is a professional football player and plays for the Indianapolis Colts.  His name is Matt Hall.  He was (and probably still is) a charming young man, kind and courteous.  I enjoyed meeting him.  I asked him for his word of advice for others and these are his words: “DO NOT LISTEN TO NAY-SAYERS AND THOSE WHO TRY TO DISCOURAGE YOU”.

Not that Matt will ever read this blog  but I just want to say thank you Matt for being so willing to humor me with a posed picture.  I think the photo will be attached before this post because I forgot to publish it first.  That which is published first always follows what I publish next.

Because so much time is taking place between living it and blogging it I am always remembering something I didn’t say “way back when” I blogging that certain day.  One nice surprise I had when I was in Willow Springs playing cards with my friend Katheen was when the doorbell rang and Kathleen told Matt to get a package from the FedEx man.  I asked her what she was expecting.  She looked at me with raised eyebrows as if it was “none of my business” (which it wasn’t).  I certainly didn’t say anything more.  A couple of moments later, Matt rounded the corner with a box with my name on it.  It was from my darling daughter.  Just so you know I always refer to her as my “darling daughter” because to me she is just that.  I was so surprised to receive a package while on the road but Kathleen was in cahoots with my daughter and was expecting  the package.  I unwrapped the package and inside was a beautiful hot pick linen summer dress WITH NAIL POLISH TO MATCH!  This was her dress that I had tried on the previous year while visiting her in Florida.  She loved it on me and wanted me to have it.  So…now I do.  I am the proud owner of one HOT PINK SUMMER DRESS…and POLISH!   Thank you darling daughter.  You never cease to amaze me!

The part of the gift I loved the most however, was the card she wrote to me.  It was a card with a handwritten note (letter)  written on all the pages that were available.  The words were so touching (and of course true) that it is something I shall cherish as long as I live.  All you daughters out there, if your mom is still with you on this earth, pick up a pen and paper and write them a love note because it may mean the world to them. them.  I cannot tell you what this card did to my heart.  I believe the cards that arrive without a special occasion are sometimes the most special occasion of all.

While in Arkansas I also spent many hours with Aunt Esther.  It was a precious time, yet bittersweet.  I do not know when I’ll be going that way again.  Will we ever see each other again, I do not know?  I do know one thing however, that if we don’t see each other again on earth it will be just for awhile because  we’ll see and know each other in heaven.  And that will be a place where daughters don’t get sick and mothers do not die.  When I asked my precious beautiful aunt what her words of wisdom are she readily responded:  “TO LOVE EVERYBODY”.  And that is exactly what she has done all her life.  I LOVE YOU AUNT ESTHER.  Thanks for your wonderful hospitality, great company, and so much wisdom.  You truly are one of God’s special angels!

I drove away from Aunt Esther’s little green house on Thursday March 19  DAY 13 to drive to Fort Worth Texas.  Oh man, what a nightmare!  More later…