Nana Lights the Advent Wreath Candle

Sharon is in charge of The Advent Wreath program at St John's United Methodist Church where Nana is a member.  Before her last fall, Sharon had asked Nana if she would go up to the front of the church with her on December 2nd,  the first Sunday of Advent  and together they could light the first candle on the Advent Wreath.  Surprisingly, Nana not only said yes, but was very excited about doing it.  When Nana fell on the Thursday before that Sunday, Sharon thought Nana would change her mind about going.  However, by Friday, Nana decided she was recovered enough to still go to church and participate in the program.

 Following is Sharon's account that I received via text message:
Nana had a big day at church.  She was welcomed by many people and she gave Pastor Mike her latest story that she wrote.  We sat with Gracie and Gracie held the hymn book with her.  I asked Pastor Mike for the paper to read while lighting the candle.  He brought it over and I immediately went to work assigning Nana the middle part to read and told her to read slowly and loudly.  We went over it a couple of quick times in our seat.  We thought it would be after the collection, but he had no sooner said "Good Morning" from the pulpit and then he announced the lighting of the advent candle.  We were surprised but took the paper and headed up.  Billy went up also and helped Nana get there.  Then he sat down on the front pew and took pictures.  We actually lit the candle together and everyone clapped.  It was really touching.  Nana was so proud.  And, as she walked up, Pastor Mike said to the congregation that Deanie was really nicely dressed in the colors of the advent candles - pink and purple.   (So you did a good job of getting her dressed this morning.)

 That whole thing made it worth while for me to have that position for a few years even though it is a pain.  And as he announced who was lighting the candle , he said, "and Deanie is fortunate to be here because she had a bad fall this week and is badly bruised." She got lots of much deserved attention.  Also this would be great on your Nana blog.  I told the people today that Nana has gone to this church since she was a little girl and just wanted to light the Advent Candle once.  Actually, you know, she was born right near the church in the log cabin that was in Tenner Moore's front yard.  I am sure she would have walked to Sunday School. To actually light the candle, I lit the match and wrapped my hand around hers, with the match in her and my fingers.  Of course, right up front she said, "Oh, you are going to burn my finger."  I said, "No, I am not."  But then it did not light at first, so it really did come close to burning both our fingers as I held it long enought to get the flame.  After church I made a fast trip to Wendy's on the way home.  We ate hamburgers in the car and when I got her home I fixed the baked potato and coffee for her on her table at home.  I put 2 Frosties in the freezer, but I'm sure they will not be there long.

I think Sharon's text describes the events perfectly.  I'm really proud of Nana for having the courage to go in front of the church and read and be part of the program.  Sharon has asked a number of people from the church to do the reading and light the Advent Candle for the other weeks, and many people turn her down saying, "Oh, I don't like to get up in front of people."  After seeing Nana, 89 years old,  bruised and making an effort to walk, I don't think as many people will say "No" to Sharon now.

Thanks Sharon - it was a good day for Nana and we are grateful for every good day.

      Church Bulletin from Nana's Advent Wreath Sunday, December 2, 2012

 

 

Another Fall

On Friday morning, November 29th I got a call from Sharon that Nana had fallen again.  She pushed her Lifeline button - thank goodness!  The ambulance was called and Lifeline called Sharon.  When Sharon called me it was before 8am.  I always call Nana about 7:55am each morning so when I saw Sharon's phone id, my heart sank.  Sharon went to the Emergency Room and sat with Nana while they did Xrays and tests and scans. 

While Sharon waited, I packed and started the six hour plus drive to PA.  I didn't know if anything was broken - could we dodge the bullet two times?  But I knew that no matter what, Nana would need some help and she likes "her girls" close in times of crisis. 

The results took hours and it wasn't until after 1pm that Sharon got the word that there was no fractures.  Another miracle!  Again I thank God and her daily routine of Shaklee and her meds. She was allowed to leave the hospital when she was able to take a walker about 30 feet down the hall.  Nana was ready to go home.  In fact, before the test results were in, she had already gotten tired of waiting.  She sat on the edge of her bed and said, "I'm leaving."  Patience is not one of her virtues.  When it was time for the walker test, Nana practically ran down the hall with that walker.  She had not been allowed any food or drink in case there was a fracture and surgery was needed.  Now she was hungry.  All she had on was her nightgown, so Sharon got a coat from the car and off they went to Wendy's for a hamburger.  Since Nana couldn't go in, Sharon prepared their "car picnic" and Nana devoured her meal.  Nana doesn't eat much, but she needs to eat often and when she is hungry, don't get in her way!  Thank you, thank you Sharon for all you did that day. 

Nana has some good neighbors who helped us that day.  Chuck heard the ambulance call on the scanner and called up to her.  Because he didn't know if she was dresssed, he sent another neighbor, Fay up to check on her.  Fay put a pillow under her head and helped her put her teeth in before the ambulance arrived.  We're so grateful for both of them helping. 

Wayne checked on her apartment after the ambulance left and it was so good to have him there.  Jeff  came on his lunch to talk to Nana at the ER and be with Sharon for a while.  Nana truly has a lot of people who care about her.

Nana fell hard on her butt, which is all black and blue.  She hit her head and cut her elbow.  It could have been much worse and I'm so glad we had the Lifeline button for her to push.  I hope there are no more falls but it's good to know the system works.

None of us know when it will be our last day, but at 89 years old, Nana is aware that this is her twilight.  Events like this fall remind me that every phone call, every visit and every holiday with Nana is precious and I treasure them. 

Nana's Thanksgiving 2012

This year Lori wanted to make a new tradition for Thanksgiving by going to Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch for Thanksgiving Day, hoping that Nana would enjoy going out and being with the boys.  Where better for a Thanksgiving dinner than a turkey ranch?  I was excited about the idea because Jan and I decided to make a trip to PA so we could be part of the new tradition.
 
I admit to being a little apprehensive about Nana in that situation.  It was a new restaurant to her and it was a longer drive than hopping up to May's Diner each morning.  But May's is not open on Thanksgiving Day and I know Nana wanted to please Lori.  Since Lori had been planning this since the summer, Nana had lots of time to prepare.  She had a great idea - she would get  Christmas gifts for the boys and give to them at the restaurant to help keep them occupied.  In Sepember, we shopped for just the right gift.  She wanted them to have small cars as she knows Ollie and Sidney love anything with wheels.  Plus, she insisted they be almost alike because her thought was that they might fight if they were different.  This insight came from raising four of her own kids, who fought, and helping to raise Lori and Jeff, who also fought.  I knew she was right.  She chose 2 packs of miniature cars. I wrapped them for her and now she was ready.

On Thanksgiving Day, Jan and I drove Nana to the restaurant.  After we crossed the mountain and headed up Rt. 15 north of Williamsport, she was in new territory.  That stretch of highway is wooded with the road sliced into the mountains. A month earlier, the scenery would have been awash with reds and yellows and oranges from the fall leaves.  On this trip, the trees were bare, but Nana was still in awe of the drive.

When we reached the restaurant, the parking lot was packed.  Thankfully, Jan found a parking spot close to the door.   Because we had reservations we were seated immediately - good for Nana who can't stand for very long, plus she was still hurting some from her fall.  Next challenge was what would Nana order to eat?  She settled on a hamburg, coffee and banana cream pie for dessert.  After we ordered, Nana gave the boys their cars.  What a hit!  They loved them and ran them on the table and also entertained the diners behind us, running them across the ledge while wearing the turkey hats Lori had made them. So cute.
 
There were ten of us - Sharon and Ron, Jeff, Lori and Nate, Ollie and Sid, Nana and Jan and I.  The food was good and lots of it.  Nana's hamburg was too hard for her to eat so she had a half a roll, coffee and the banana cream pie, which was her favorite. The boys loved the rainbow sherbert but were more interested in playing with their cars from Nana.  Nana was so happy watching them enjoy her gift.

When we left the restaurant, Nana again remarked on the drive through the mountains.  Who knew that would be one of the top attractions of this day for her?  It's a good new tradition and I hope we can all go again next year. 

The next day all of us, except Ron, met again at Nana's favorite hangout - May's Diner.  More fun with Ollie and Sid and their cars and trucks.  Thanks Lori for making all this happen.  Looking forward to next Thanksgiving!

Nana and Lori at Fry's Turkey Ranch Nov 2012

 

 

Ollie and Sid wearing turkey hats and

playing with Nana's gift of cars at

Fry's Turkey Ranch Nov 2012

 

 

Nana and Lori with Ollie and Sid at May's Diner

November 2012

 

 

The Fall

On Friday night, October 26, 2012, Nana took a nasty fall.  According to what she can remember, it was after she watched the 10 o'clock news - a must on Nana's to-do list.  When she got up from her chair, she felt dizzy and started to fall.  She remembers grabbing for her walker that sits to the right of her TV.  The wheels on her walker - which only serves as a hanger for her sweaters - must have rolled and the rest of her fall is a mystery.  What we do know is that her TV, one of the old "weighs a ton" kind, crashed to the floor with her.
 
She told me that she thinks she blacked out briefly and then called for help.  No one could hear her as her closest neighbor, 98 year-old Hazel, lives below her and she was in the hospital.  Fortunately, Nana was able to get herself to her footstool and use her portable phone.  She called Sharon and she and Jeff drove to Nana's house immediately. When she told Sharon she fell, Sharon asked her, "Nana, what's broken?"  In true Nana fashion, she said, "My TV."  Never mind that she had a bleeding abrasion on her arm, a big lump on her forehead with two more lumps on the back of her head.  Her chest had a painful bruise and her hip hurt so badly she could barely move.  But she was worried about her TV!

Sharon and Jeff called the ambulance and told her not to move.  When they called me, I started packing.  Sharon and Jeff were with Nana in the Emergency Room till the wee hours of the morning. I'm so grateful they were there.  The doctors did lots of tests and scans on Nana and to every one's amazement, there were no fractures.  Everyone taking care of her was totally amazed at her good blood results, strong heart and lungs and small amount of regular prescriptions medications.  However, because she's 89 years old and had head injuries, the doctor felt it was best to keep her in the hospital for observation. 

I arrived at the hospital on Saturday about 2pm to find that the doctor felt another day was best for observation.  Sharon and I used that time to shop for a modern, lighter TV.  I spent Saturday night repairing her TV stand and hooking up the new TV.  Nana without cable TV is not a good thing.

I brought Nana home on Sunday.  She was in a lot of pain, especially her chest. Her major complaint was "I just don't feel well."  I kept my keys close in case we needed to make another trip to the Emergency Room.

Monday morning Nana felt  better but the weather was very sick.  Hurricane Sandy was blowing in and Nana had a doctor's appointment.  Sharon is braver than me and offered to drive all of us to Dr. Wiegand's office in her mini-van.  We left early because Nana wanted us to buy her donuts at Dunkin Donuts.  That was a clue she was feeling better.  The doctor gave her a clean bill of health and told her that her chest bruising would take a long time to heal so she would need to  be patient - not really a Nana trait. 

Sharon delivered us home safely and we hunkered down to brave the storm.  Nana slept well, but as the wind howled at 60mph,  I fretted about what I would do if the electricity failed.  The power blinked on and off a few times, but thankfully we still had heat and lights the next morning, although no cable TV until about noon.  No Price is Right for Nana that day but it was back on for the noon news.  She was happy. 

After the storm, I contacted Lifeline and now Nana  has a lovely string necklace with a button to push for help if she falls again.  That gives all of us who love her some peace of mind. It gives Nana the independence she treasures so she can stay in her own home.

I went home on Thursday and by Friday morning, only a week after her fall, Nana drove to May's Diner for her daily pancake breakfast. No fall was going to keep her down!

 

                                       Nana ready to leave the hospital on Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Tilburg Kids

With the passing of Uncle John this summer, Nana and Uncle Ben are the only two left out of the five Tilburg children of Benjamin and Pearl Tilburg.  I came across a picture that was taken in May 1983 at my house when I lived in Montgomery RD.  I remember doing a Tilburg family dinner once a year and this was one of those times.  It's hard to realize that Nana was only 60 - 2 years younger than I am now! She looked quite happy standing next to her big brother John.

By 1983, Auntie and Aunt Grace were both widows as Uncle Lukie and Uncle Tom had both passed away.  Aunt Grace was smiling and looked the way I like to remember her before she succumbed to Alzheimer's and went to Valley View Nursing Home.  Auntie looked so sweet in her prim and proper way.   Her real name was Elizabeth, but I always called her Auntie and Nana called her Lib.  Uncle Ben was the baby of the family and I remember he always enjoyed these dinners and the leftovers I sent home with him.

When I took that picture in 1983, I didn't realize the importance of having all the Tilburg kids together in a picture.  Today, I know it's priceless.

 

The Tilburg Kids

Ben, Elizabeth (Auntie), Grace, John and Deanie

May 1983

Celebrating 89 years young!

I was honored to spend time with Nana during her birthday celebrations.  Nana is not a fan of big parties.  I threw her a big party on her 75th birthday and she was not thrilled. I learned from my mistake and try now to make her birthdays about things that she loves, not what I think she should want. 

Speaking of that, several years ago I got her a beautiful decorated white cake.  After I took her picture with that cake, she totally ignored it.  Now I've learned that she likes the cupcakes I buy here in Virginia at our Martin's grocery store.  They are white cake with creamy white frosting.  Sounds similar to the white cake, right?  But, she likes the cupcakes and didn't like the cake.  So for celebrating her birthday, cupcakes it is. 

 

 

Nana's menu is very limited but she enjoys the fish sandwich at The Fence so that is where I chose to take her for her birthday dinner.  Although they have rows of picnic tables lining the view of the Susquehanna River, Nana is not an outside kind of gal.  We went on Friday September 14th, the day before her birthday.  It was so much fun to watch Nana enjoy her fish sandwich - tartar sauce on the side - with her coffee with lots of cream.  The Fence closes in October so that was our last time there this season.  I don't know if it was the birthday or the fact that it was our last fish there till spring, but Nana and I both agreed that the fish tasted better than it had all summer.  The sweet girl who waited on us was kind enough to take our picture.

 

 

 

I told Nana that she gets to celebrate longer as she gets older, so on Saturday, September 15th, when she turned 89 years old, we went to her favorite place - Mays Restaurant.  Sharon was able to join us so that make the breakfast extra special for Nana and I.  It was a crowded morning at Mays and there were lots of people in line waiting for tables.  I got Nana a chair to sit while we waited, but one of the kind waitresses cleared a recently vacated table and moved Nana to the table - no more waiting!  That was a nice birthday gift.  Then she enjoyed her small pancake - specially made by Steve, the cook - her piping hot pot of coffe with lots of creams, and multiple packets of Smuckers Strawberry Jelly, her favorite.  She was greeted with birthday wishes by all the staff and other diners, even a lady behind us who had never met Nana before.

 

In addition, Nana received lots of gifts and visits and phone calls from family and friends with birthday wishes.  She had a wonderful birthday.  I'm already thinking about a plan for her 90th birthday next year.....









50 Years Ago Today

Nana just called to tell me that 50 years ago today, her mother died.  Grandma Tilburg died on August 28, 1962.  She died of pernicious anemia and she was 71 years old.  I was only 12 years old when she died and I thought Grandma Tilburg was very old - now I don't think 71 is old at all.  For many years before her death, she was bedridden.  With her gray hair wrapped into a bun and her frail body draped in folds of her cotton nightgowns, she looked tiny and pale, propped up by pillows in the big double bed.

Nana has already lived almost eighteen years longer than her mother.  Today when she was talking about the pain in her toes from neuropathy, she said, "It's not easy getting old.  These are not golden years."  I'm not dismissing her pain as I'm sure that's hard to endure.  But I reminded her how most seniors who are almost 89 years old would be happy to have her life of relative independence.  She admitted that was true. 

Nana was only 39 years old when she lost her mom. I feel very fortunate to be 62 years old and still have the luxury of talking to my mom everyday and seeing her often.


 

It Takes a Family

Nana is fortunate to have lots of family who care so much for her.  Last week, all four of her kids helped her in some way. 

Wayne stopped in several times to check on her and open any jars or bottles she can't open.  Her hands have become so arthritic that many tasks we take for granted - like buttoning a shirt or writing a check - have become very difficult.

Although Sharon was in Black Lake, she kept in touch with daily phone calls.  Sharon also was with her Sunday evening to fix her pill cases and crush the ones she can't swallow.  Sharon and I devised this system after Nana was ill in 2010.  It works well and Nana is very faithful at taking everything on schedule. 

Bill and Marcia stopped by on Sunday to give Nana the church bulletin and bring some yummy leftovers and dessert from their lunch.  Nana is apprehensive about church because her back has been so painful lately. 

In addition to our daily phone calls, last Friday I talked her through a tornado warning.  She was very frightened and I gave her instructions to get her teeth in, put on her shoes and take her jacket and purse to the bottom of the steps.  We stayed on the phone while I watched WNEP 16 weather live on my computer.  To be safe, we switched to the cell phone when the lightening was so severe.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I knew the danger had passed.  Wayne was in touch with us that night also just in case he needed to go get her.

In addition to her four kids, she is very close to Lori and Jeff, who are more like her kids than her grandchildren.

The night of the tornado, Jeff stopped in and fixed Nana's weather radio and he's always available for a weather update.
 
Lori calls from Delaware often and keeps her supplied with stories and pictures of Ollie and Sidney.  Lori and Nate's visit with the boys in June was such a joy to Nana.

I think Nana is very lucky to have so many people who care about her.  And we are so lucky to still have Nana in our lives! 

Summer of '57

The summer of 1957 was our first summer living in the Staggert place.  We called it the Staggert place because we bought it from the Staggert family.  Us kids were so excited to have a big yard with green grass!  At first, we didn't have an inside toilet, but Daddy installed one soon after we moved in.  That was life changing for us.  No more running outside to the "out house" or using the "pee bucket" in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom. 

This picture of Wayne, Sharon, Bill and I is the only one we have of all of us as children.  I think Wayne's hat may have come from Uncle Harold - Tud as we called him - who was in the Navy.  Sharon's hair was as short as I have ever seen her wear it and Bill to this day still likes to put his hands in his pockets.  I squinted into the sun with the innocent smile of a seven year old.  

Behind us is the door that opened to the stairs into the cellar.  In those days, houses had cellars, not basements.  In the corner of the cellar sat the sump pump, ready to suck out water when spring rains flooded the dirt floor.  Also in the cellar was the gigantic coal furnace and the dusty bins for coal storage.  For many years the cellar was also home to Nana's ancient wringer washer.  I remember catching the smashed clothes that she fed into the wringer that looked like two constantly spinning roller pins.  Nana never had a dryer so after the clothes made several trips through the wringer, she hauled the heavy basket of wet clothes up the rickety wooden steps and out to the backyard clothes lines.

  

Although we were poor, we seemed quite happy in this picture.  I think we were oblivious to all the work Nana did for us.  She washed and ironed our clothes and cooked lots of delicious meals. Later she went to work in a factory to pay the bills.  She sacrificed to make our lives better.  Thank You Nana!

Sharon, Wayne, Diane and Bill in the Summer of 1957

Nana and Peaches

This time of year when peaches are in season, it always reminds me of my memories of Nana and peaches.  I remember living at the Bower place and it was September.  School was already started, but the weather was still warm.  After walking down the long dusty lane from the main road where the school bus dropped us off, Sharon and Wayne and I (Bill was not in school yet) saw Nana sitting on the long porch on the side of the battered house, peeling a gigantic bushel of plump fuzzy peaches. 

Each year, Nana bought a bushel of peaches to put in canning jars for the winter. Money was scarce so each peach was precious.  We begged her for a taste of those sunny yellow juicy pieces of fruit.  I can still taste the slippery flesh of the ripe peach and remember the sticky juice running down my arm.  Come winter, we were grateful for Nana's work at peeling and canning the peaches in quart mason jars. When we ate the preserved fruit swimming in a thick sugary syrup, it was like the pleasure of that September day all over again.



Nana and "Those Boys"

Lori and Nate brought Ollie and Sidney for a Pennsylvania visit last week.  Nana had been waiting for their visit with 2 identical toy trucks for the boys.  She showed them to me months ago and explained, "I had to get them alike or they might fight over them."  She might have been basing that on the years she took care of Lori and her brother Jeff.  I think Nana did some referee time when they were growing up.  Nana tells lots of stories about when Lori and Jeff were little.  This trip she repeated Lori's weather story.  Nana tells it like this...
  "I watched the weather to make sure that it was going to be sunny so I could hang clothes outside on the clothes line.  No sooner did I fill the lines when the sky clouded over and it started to rain.  As I was grumbling about how the weather man was wrong and that I couldn't count on him to tell me the truth, Lori looked at me and said, "Nana, if you want to know about the weather, just look up at the sky."

Nana has told me that story so many times and she chuckles with glee every time.  It must be hard for her to believe that now Lori has children of her own. 

When we got to the hotel where Lori and Nate and the boys were staying, we could hear the noise and chatter even from the hall.  We sat Nana in a chair and Lori brought the boys to talk to Nana.  Sid seemed to be in awe of Nana and kept pointing and saying, "Nana, Nana."  Although Nana was tired from the heat and her toe pain, her eyes lit up every time Sid started his Nana chorus.

When Nana gave the boys their trucks, they were obviously excited.  When all the adults in the room found that we needed a full set of tools and an engineering degree to extract the trucks from the packaging, Sharon and I knew we needed Plan B.

We whisked the trucks away from the tearful boys and - thanks to Sharon's great idea - headed to the Dollar General to return and exchange.  Luckily Jen, the supervisor, took pity on us and allowed an exchange for 2 small dump trucks and a pack of tiny cars.  When Nana gave them the new toys, the boys immediately started playing.  Whew, that saved the day!
 
Breakfast with Lori and Nate and the boys at May's - Nana's every-day pancake spot - brought more fun with Ollie and Sid. After we said our goodbyes, Nana was silent for a while and seemed to be thinking.  Then she shook her head and said, "Those boys."  I said, "Yes, aren't they so cute?"  Nana said, "Yes and they're so good-looking."

Well done, Lori and Nate.  Your visit was a success!

Nana with Sid and Ollie

Nana is a Survivor

Nana and I were talking this week about my niece Lori's recent surgery.  This brought back memories for Nana from when she had her hysterectomy at the age of 28.  This was shortly after my brother Bill was born in 1951.  Although I knew she had the surgery, I didn't know how seriously ill she was at that time. She told me when she was waking up after the operation, she heard the doctors and nurses talking about what room to take her to after the Recovery Room.  They didn't know she was  awake.  She recalls hearing someone say, "It doesn't matter, she is probably going to die anyway."  I was shocked when she told me.  Although she talked on numerous times about having a hysterectomy, she never told me she could have died. 

She does often talk about a time back in the 1970's when she was making an application for a life insurance policy.  She took the paperwork to Dr. Persing, our family doctor, for his signature to verify her health.  I can picture Dr. Persing peering through his wire-rimmed reading glasses as he scanned the page.  He handed the form back to her and said, "Deanie, I won't sign this.  You're not going to live that long."

Dr. Persing is long gone as I'll bet are others who predicted Nana's early demise. Nana has difficult days with her health at times, but she's very much alive.  I'm glad to still have my mom and that she is a survivor. 

Nana and I celebrating Mother's Day at The Fence

May 2012

  

Nana and her Chevy

 Nana has been dealing with a lot of pain lately.  Mostly foot pain in her toes on her left foot. Sharon and I have tried lots of solutions - from doctors to new shoes to pain pills.  Still Nana is plagued with this pain.  But she keeps going in her little Chevy Cavalier - going to May's Diner, going to  Dollar General, going to the Weis Store and going to Smitty's for gas to keep her little car going. 

Nana loves her little Chevy Cavalier. She can be exhausted from pain and lack of sleep and some days heat, but still she climbs in her car and goes.  I admit I worry that she pushes too hard, but I admire her will to keep moving.  Nana's wheels are the lifeline to her independence.  She knows these days of driving are precious and she clings to them.  I hope she can drive for a long time.

Honoring Nana on Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and a day to honor all our veterans and their families.  Today always reminds me of the sacrifice of Nana and Daddy.  She had to move out of her comfort zone to leave home at the age of nineteen, never having been out of Elimsport, and take a train to be close to her soldier husband.  Here is how Nana describes it in one of her short stories:

April 1943 – 19 years old

I left Williamsport on the Pennsylvania Railroad bound for Austin, Texas with $30 in my pocket.  World War II was in full swing.  I changed trains in St. Louis and boarded the Katy lines.  In the seat across from me were two nice Southern girls.  They said, “Are y’all going plum to Tulsa?”  Not knowing Southern talk, I asked, “Does that mean all the way?”  They answered, “Yes.” 

The train was slow-moving and, while gazing out the window, I saw blue bonnets.  After three days and nights, I arrived in Austin.  I got a room at a boarding house on 1205 Nueces Street.  The landlady, whose name was Mabel Huckabee, was very nice.  She later got me a job at Steck Publishing Company.  I liked Austin, Texas a lot.

 Following is a poem she wrote about that job:

While living in Austin on Nueces Street

I needed some cash to make ends meet

While looking for a job one day

Mabel made a call and found a way

She called Steck’s, they said try Shipping Department

Help needed and that is where I went

I got a job wrapping letterheads all day

I liked my job a lot and that’s where I wanted to stay

Each day I walked to work down the streets

All went well with my job of many weekshe later got me a job at Steck Publishing Company.  I liked Austin, Texas a lot!

Although it was war time, Nana's experience in Austin is one of her best memories.  Daddy's service in the Army, although not his choosing, was probably the noblest thing he did in his life.

Nana and Daddy 1943



Nana Says Goodby to Her Brother John

Yesterday was the viewing and funeral for Uncle John.  I knew it would be a stressful day forNana but I am so proud of her for doing so well.  I was disappointed that I couldn't be with her but so grateful that Nana has four children.  Everyone helped.  Waybe picked her up and took her to the viewing and Sharon and Bill and Marcia helped to make sure she was taken care of every part of the day.
 

I'm especially grateful to my niece Lori who came from Delaware with her 2 year old son Ollie to visit Nana and go to the service.  Nana adores Ollie and Lori sent me this cute picture of Nana and Ollie eating cake at the meal after the service, although I think it was the frosting they both like the most. 

Nana was home by 2:30pm, tired but ready to give me all the details.  She told me that when they asked for comments from anyone during the service she knew she wanted to say something.  Sharon helped her get Pastor Mike's attention and she volunteered, "John and I used to walk everyday to Pikes Peak School."  It took a lot of courage for her to speak up and I'm so glad she did.

When she told me that she walked by the casket one last time, she got very choked up.  I know this is a sad time for her and she'll miss her big brother.  She went to the cemetary then returned to the church for the meal. I loved that she told me about Ollie eating his cake with his fingers.  When Lori pointed out that Nana was using her fork, he picked up his fork to try that too.  Nana told me he did better with his fingers and she got such a laugh about that.

Now Uncle Ben is her last living sibling.  I'm sure Nana will keep continue to stay in touch. 

Funerals are a good reminder to all of us to treasure everyday with the ones we love.

Nana, The Kid Sister

On Sunday, May 6th, Nana's older brother John died.  He was 91. He was a good man who lived a long and good life.  Thanks to my sister Sharon, Nana was able to visit with him while he was still able to talk and reminisce about his life.  By the time I arrived last Wednesday, he was not able to respond, but I believe he heard everything around him.  When Nana visited him that day, she talked to him and said, "John, it's your kid sister Deanie."  It made me think how no matter what their ages, she will always be the kid sister and he the big brother,even at 88 and 91.

Nana has lots of pictures of Uncle John when he was in the Army during World War II.  He and my dad were both stationed overseas during the war, Uncle John in the Middle East and Daddy in Italy. In those days there was no E-mail or Skype or Facebook.  The only communications were postcards, letters and pictures and those are priceless treasures to remind us of the sacrifices those servicemen and their families made for us.

At tomorrow's service Nana will say goodby to Uncle John.  Although it will be sad, I know she realizes how fortunate she was to have enjoyed being a kid sister to her big brother for 88 years.

Progress

Last week at Nana's check up at the doctor's office, she weighed 110 pounds!  This is real progress as she had gotten as low as 102 pounds in the past year.  When I took her to the doctor a few months ago, she was 104 pounds so that 6 pound gain is major progress.  I asked her if she held her purse because it weighs about 4 pounds, but she said, "No, they wouldn't let me."  I'm very happy with the additional pounds as it gives her more stamina.

Another difference I have seen in the past six months is that she gets hungry.  She's ready for her pancake and coffee in the morning and when I talk to her in the afternoon she's ready for beans or toast.  That is an encouraging sign.

As we see Uncle John's illness, it's a reminder that things can change quickly.  But for now, I'm celebrating those six pounds!

Nana and Brothers

Nana is the only living sister in her family.  Aunt Elizabeth  (Auntie) died in 1988 and Aunt Grace died in 1994.  Her brothers are Uncle John, who is 91 and Uncle Ben who is 81. Uncle Ben fell in January and broke his femur and recently returned to his home after being in Muncy Skilled Nursing for several months.  He's not able to drive yet since returning home because of difficulty walking.   Uncle John was admitted to the hospital last week with swallowing problems. 

The connection of a sibling is important at any age, but I see how much Nana cares about staying in touch with her brothers.  Because of their different physical limitations, in-person visits aren't often possible. Especially when there are health challenges, I see how concerned she is about the well being of her brothers and how important getting up to date reports is to her peace of mind.

Even though we don't always agree, I'm grateful for my brothers Wayne and Bill. I've always enjoyed a close relationship with my sister Sharon, which I treasure.  Recently, I 've been more in touch with both my brothers and that's been a joy.  I hope that when all of us are in our 80's and 90's, we can stay connected like Nana, Uncle John and Uncle Ben. 

Nana and Uncle Ben June 2007

Nana and Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy June 2007

Nana and Mitzi

Every morning, I call Nana at 8:10am.  This is the first of the "check -in" calls of the day.  Sharon and I devised a schedule after Nana came home from her hospital stays in 2010.  Here is how it works: I call Nana in the morning, Nana calls Sharon after she gets back from Mays and any errands, I call Nana in the afternoon and Nana calls Sharon at 9:30pm every night.  This is our way of making sure that Nana is safe and doing ok throughout the day.  It works well because Nana loves a schedule.

When I talk to Nana on the phone each morning, I sit in my glider rocker.  Mitzi is on my lap and I comb her while Nana and I talk.  Nana loves knowing that Mitzi is there while we talk.  She jokes," Tell Mitzi Nana already combed her hair today." 

I believe Mitzi and Nana are related because Mitzi loves schedules too and this morning one is a favorite.  She seems to know what we are doing.  Each morning as I head for the phone and the rocker, I say "Come on Mitzi, it's time to call Nana."  No matter where she is in the house, she promptly appears at my feet, ready for our call and combing.

Nana's memories of Mitzi are from the times she spent visiting our house in Ruckersville, VA.  Nana loved the Blue Ridge Mountains, sitting on the porch, and sharing the red chair with Mitzi.  With most people, Mitzi is not social, but Nana was different.  Mitizi often sat on the back of this favorite red chair while Nana watched TV or did her WordFind books.  I don't have any pictures in my computer of them together - that was before my digital camera - but I can still picture both of them there.
This is a picture of Mitzi.  She is 10 years old now and Nana's grandkitty. 

Nana Central

Nana is really the hub for all information.  She likes to serve as the messenger to keep all of us updated on any breaking news.  If there is something the family needs to know, I can make one phone call and she will happily convey the details to everyone.  Without the benefit of Facebook, e-mail,  or texting, family news moves at lightning speed.
Speaking of texting, I told Nana during my last visit that I should teach her how to text on my phone because I can't text while driving.  Personally, I can barely text while sitting so texting and driving will never happen for me.  When I mention texting to Nana, she always says, "I don't know about texting, but I would like to go to Texas."
Although I'm in Mechanicsville, VA, I always know about the daily stories in the Sun Gazette, the top news on WILQ and the weather in the Susquehanna Valley.  Although I haven't lived there for 13 years, Nana sends me those pieces of home via phone and U.S. Mail.  I think it gives her a purpose and makes me still feel connected to Pennsylvania.  I'm grateful for Nana Central.

Perm Day for Nana

This picutre was from last week when I visited Nana.  The picture she is holding is from a puzzle that was a gift from Lori and Nate and boys.  The 500 piece puzzle seemed daunting for her so Jan carefully cut the picture from the box and framed for Nana.  She loves it because it is a train in Austin which looks to be during the time she lived there when my dad was in service, which was 1943-1944.

Today Nana got her perm from her hairdresser Bonnie who lives just up the road.  She went early to May's and got to Bonnie's before 9am. Last night was a sleepless one for Nana.  She said that she was awake at 2am and didn't go back to sleep.  Although I often suggest she nap through the day when she has one of those nights, she always says, "I am not a daytime sleeper."  No matter how much sleep she's missed the previous night, she will stay awake until Kurt Aaron gives the weather on Channel 16's 10 o'clock news.  I'm sure tonight will be the same.

 

About Nana

I am creating a blog to document Nana News, as I am calling it.  Nana is my mother Deanie Rhone.  I have always called her Mommy and still do most of the time.  Many of her grandchildren call her Grammy, but  my sister's children, Lori and Jeff, called her Nana from day one. From the time our cat Mitzi joined our household, my mom has referred to herself as Nana to Mitzi.  I think she sees herself as Nana so hence the blog name.

I talk to Nana several times a day.  I call her at 8:10am every morning to make sure she is ok and check how slept.  As soon as she says "Hello", I get a clue about her previous night.  I can tell by the tone of her voice how she is doing.  I get a variety of answers from "OK", to "Good" to "Rotten."  At 88 years old, she doesn't see the need to sugar-coat her answers.

This morning's conversation was in the good category.  She slept last night and was ready to drive to May's DriveIn for her breakfast of pancake, coffee and strawberry jam.  Nana going to May's is like Norm going into Cheers Bar.  Everyone knows her name, what time she normally arrives, what she eats and where she likes to sit.   Steve, the cook, has her pancake - small and flat, just the way she likes it - on the grill before she has taken off her coat.  Although she sits by herself, I don't think she feels alone.  She talks to the waitresses and the other regulars who come to May's almost every morning.  She has her favorites, like Gary,  a pharmacist and owner of the Ben Franklin Pharmacy in Clarkstown where she gets her prescriptions.  She also likes a father and son duo that tease her everyday about eating four packets of Smuckers Strawberry Jam for her dessert. 

Last week a young couple - young is a relative term at 88 - paid for her breakfast.  When she thanked them, the woman said that Nana reminded her of her aunt with that "pretty white hair" as she called it.  I love knowing that she is in such a friendly caring place every morning.

I won't promise to write every day in Nana News, but I plan to update here often to document the moments that seem to slip away so fast.