Thank You God for This Five Minutes
On Friday of my birthday week, I cajoled my husband into accompanying me to Celebration (Florida). I had made a lunch date with Jerry who lives in a condo in Celebration. Jerry had been calling me with some degree of frequency over the previous couple of weeks. He is 83 and an avowed technology abstainer. He has a flip phone, no email address, and doesn’t text. So, he calls. His wife died last November, and I suspect he’s a little lonely. I met Jerry at a speaking gig I did at Celebration (a Disney-created community located near the Orlando attractions).
Celebration, Florida
My talk focused on my book, Be Brave. Lose the Beige: Finding Your Sass After Sixty. Jerry bought three copies. I was delighted. In the ensuing few weeks he called asking for additional copies of my book. “It’s brilliant”, he said. I want to give it as gifts to my friends. (“Why don’t I know more people like you, Jerry? I wondered to myself.) When the number got to twenty I volunteered to come to Celebration (a 45-minute drive from my home) to deliver the signed copies of my book. “We can go to lunch at the Boston Tavern right up the street from my condo”, he added.
“You are coming too” I announced to Jim after one of these calls. He was only too happy to oblige. “This feels a little like stalking,” Jim observed. “I really don’t think so,” I replied, “I believe he is lonely.” I didn’t mention how Jerry quotes me from my book. “So, you really think orthopedists have the personalities of eggplants?” asked the amused former gastroenterologist (Jerry). The poor guy had recently been hospitalized after he tumbled over a bench in the downtown area of Celebration, causing a head and knee injury.
Off we went mid-morning on Friday.
Off With the Pile of Books
“You and Jim come to my condo. I want you to include the names of my friends in your inscriptions.” Jerry had mentioned he was a clutter-a-holic and asked for forgiveness in advance for his piles of clutter. He wasn’t exaggerating. I would go further and say he way understated the extent of his clutter disorder. Piles of books, papers, crossword puzzles, dishes, and much more covered tables, chairs and floors in the dining room, parlor, living room, and even the bathroom. Jerry steered us onto his balcony for book signing after which we enjoyed lobster rolls and chowder at his beloved Boston Tavern. I was heartened to observe how the restaurant staff called him by name and asked after his health. Jerry is smart. His mind and sense of humor are well intact. His body, however, is betraying him little by little as the progression of Parkinson’s Disease has diminished his vocal capacity and caused a significant tremor in his left hand.
I have ascribed a color (s) to each of my birthday blog posts during this seemingly never-ending birthday week. Today’s colors are those that make up my book cover. I’m so honored and humbled by Jerry’s belief in me. What a gift. I’ve made a commitment to stay in touch with Jerry. I’m participating in the Celebration Foundation’s Continuing Education program in October. I have invited Jerry; lunch is a given. (I will be dreaming of those delicious lobster rolls.) It’s shocking to realize I’m 71. That is only twelve years younger than Jerry. We don’t know what health issues lurk around the corner but I’m feeling very grateful for the body and mind I have right now. That’s even worthy of a magenta designation (magenta is a dominant color in my book.) Thank you God for this five minutes.