October 21, 2009

We moved into Delray Beach the day before Thanksgiving, 1999. Spyglass was just too small for us. It was some 1200 square feet as opposed to some 1800 square feet in Pine Ridge. Momma had wanted to move so I told her to do what she did when we decided to move before; find a place that you like and if I like it, we’ll buy it. The Seids, who lived next door to us in Spyglass had moved to Pine Ridge. Momma looked at several places there and found and liked the one at 7677 Mansfield Hollow Road. I looked at it, liked it, so we bought it.

Momma joined the Women’s Club and I joined the Men’s Club. We became active and participated in the events which were sponsored by the Clubs. I found the swimming pools which were a delight. We went to restaurants and the theater. We went on a cruise to Alaska after visiting Marc and Leslie in Reno. We spent a good deal of time with the Johnpolls and the Bergs. In 2001, I was volunteered into serving on the Board of Directors of the Homeowners Association. I was handed the checkbook and told, “You are the Treasurer.” I served for nearly seven years, being re-elected each year. We had a full and interesting life.

Disaster struck in October, 2004. When we went somewhere, I would let Momma off as close to the entrance as possible, park the car and then walk back to her and we would go in. I let her off in front of Big Lots and drove off to park. She stepped up, missed the curb and fell flat on her face. 911 was called and she was transported to Delray Medical Center. Over the next three years, she was in and out of three hospitals and two rehabilitation centers. I cannot count the number of hours that the Bergs, the Johnpolls and I spent in waiting rooms and patient’s rooms. Momma fell in one rehabilitation center and suffered a hairline fracture in her right femur, necessitating a stay in a hospital. She was transported in a wheel chair after her discharge from the final rehabilitation center until we discovered the four-wheeled walker which she presently uses. An Aide come in four hours each weekday morning and helps Momma in addition to light housekeeping. I have become the chef, launderer, shopper and accountant. By the middle of 2008, my diminished hearing and eyesight in addition to increased caregiver duties mandated that I give up my role on the Board of Directors and Treasurer. I resigned and am glad that I did.

We go out primarily to visit doctors. Yet we have still managed to get to Baltimore twice in the past year. Life is good. We have each other and we see our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I can’t believe that there are thirty-six of us. We are, and have good reason to be, so proud of their accomplishments and the way they lead their lives.