22 Comments
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Julie Dee's avatar

This was a tender read, Deb. You described her well. I have an elderly neighbour in my street and she is dear. Been here on this row since 1969, incredibly active despite her age and a huge animal lover. Saw her a few weeks ago and she was on the way to the Chinese ‘I’m going to share it with my dog’ - which I thought was so sweet. The older we grow, the more we ponder our own fate, for better or worse. We see what we’d like and we see what we don’t want but ultimately we may not get that much say in it.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh my friend. Thank you. What I am most grateful for is that she was seen before she went missing. You “see” your dear neighbor and that is everything in this noisy world. Sharing Chinese with her dog :). Kathleen had told us she would drive away once she lost her dog. She did, but she was with her Tommy Boy and heading to what she thought was the vet’s office. Wrong direction. All the bits and pieces in our brains.

And yes, we do ponder our own fate when faced with it. My mum is almost 90, memory wanes, eyes fading, etc. Blessed my brother is with her. Makes me emotional. With Kathleen, she was so smart to put someone she trusted in charge of her little estate. In the end, it has worked out beautifully. He handled everything with such honor.

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend beautiful. oxox

Jenni Madden's avatar

My dad often talked about his grandma who lived with them. She would leave the house randomly and the kids would have to bring her back. I imagined her to be a weathered Polish woman who was alone after her husband was gone, moving into the farmhouse in Lowell, Michigan. She was a stranger to the country she came to and probably was confused by language, customs, the land and relied on dad's grandpa a lot. Maybe she went out of the house to look for the place she left.

Everybody has a story. I wish everyone could tell theirs. I think

I would be more patient, less anxious, less worried and have more empathy if I could read them ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh bless her. I think you're probably right about her longing and looking. How many people have done this. So sad really. I understand longing myself being an immigrant. Searching for connection. And the more I try the less I seem to get. You're right, Jenni, I wish we knew everyone's stories. ox

M H's avatar

Thanks Deborah.Now the sun is here great but too hot,it's always extremities not normal.Good to dry my washing out doors 😂.My wee Gizmo my dog loves the sun 😎. Enjoy your day 🦋🕊️🙏xxx.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh boy, just like us! Up and down! But at least for Gizmo it’s a day of sun bathing! Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend. ox

MamaCarole's avatar

Oh my friend! You hit the nail on the head with this one. I'm currently caring for my aunt. The way we live is the way we die, even if we have dementia. It sounds like Kathleen lived a responsible, loving life.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh yesss! So so hard, compromising and often beautiful as we reflect upon our own lives and where they are going. I really need to meet you Carole. Hope you’re having a good weekend and aren’t breathing in too much of the nasty air! It’s been on and off horrible! Praying the factory fire is out soon in Boyle Heights. My old stomping ground for lots of editorial work. Yikes. Those poor residents!! We’re feeling it at the east tip of L.A. Co.!

MamaCarole's avatar

Wow! I just saw via IG, East L.A.’s air. Praying for those affected.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

It’s so bad! I have been praying for them too. Can’t imagine living on top of this. ox

Wendy Elizabeth Williams's avatar

Deb...you do " tender" so well! Getting old is extremely PRIMAL, scary, poignant, up, down and sideways for us all. As the last surviving member of my immediate family, particularly intense! Keep writing fiction, Deb, you've got it! WEW

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you my friend. Tender is what we all need. And it is extremely primal — aging. It’s hard, vulnerable, and often empowering. We must keep going and doing this writing gig, no matter who is seeing. It’s something to leave behind. Love you WEW. oxox

Wendy Elizabeth Williams's avatar

I knew you would agree, Deb.Tender is PROFOUNDLY needed, amidst all the cynicism which I still battle, myself. You are a deep thinker, sensitive soul and truly a Renaissance woman. I am a wounded warrior mixed in with the empathic sensitivity. Age is the last frontier...but indeed, our legacy is our words of loving encouragement to those who come behind us. Onward, dear Deb, and I will as well ! I pray for you each and every day! I SEE YOU! Godspeed to us all, WEW

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I agree with you that age is the last frontier. We have to do good at it too. God is never done with us until He says so. Thank you for your love, kindness and support. I hope what we write helps a new generation someday. Love you dear friend. oxox

Wendy Elizabeth Williams's avatar

I feel the same way! What we write will keep writing, so to speak! Godspeed, dear Deb!

Wendy Elizabeth Williams's avatar

Love you dear, Deb, have not yet read your latest piece, I will! Keep on!!!!!!!

Michael B. Morgan's avatar

Thanks for sharing this, Deb. It's so deep, so important.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

You’re welcome. I needed to. I think about these things. It truly is important. Life, our memory, is all so fleeting. Hope you’re having a good weekend friend. ox

MaKenna Grace's avatar

What a beautiful story, Deborah. Thanks so much for sharing. We really are all here by His grace.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you MaKenna. We are so grateful for every person found. Even when they are right in front of us. I know you know this and feel it. You are in the business of the end.

Hope you’re having a good weekend. ox

M H's avatar

Sad to read about Kathleen.More younger people are getting Dementia now, my Dad died in care he had dementia .ln the end he didn't know anyone.Its a cruel sickness removes the personality.I hope l don't take it.Lovely story Deborah.🕊️♥️🙏xxx.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I agree with you that dementia is so cruel. I’m so sorry your dad left without knowing, but I think God has a way of inserting the familiar in the end too. We saw this when caring for John’s mum. She had a lot on her mind, even though there were many missing pieces. Thank you Mary. Hope you’re keeping warm. ox