December 31
I’ve been waiting for La Rad to post a comment to the Hemingway story, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen, so I’m moving on.
Susan, Larry, Robert, Diane, Katherine, Matt, Emma
As I was driving down Central St, I passed by neighbor, Joy. I waved and then I pulled into my driveway. As I got out of my truck, I turned to see Joy had made a u-turn and pulled in behind me. I walked up to her and said,
“We got your grandsons. Another great Christmas card.†(Her daughter has three blonde boys, each a year or two apart, the oldest must be about ten.)
“I didn’t like Kyle’s smile but..â€
“Come on, Joy, you’re a nitpicker. It wasn’t as perfect as last years and …â€
“A professional took that one.â€
“With the sand dunes and the boardwalk and the beach plums?’
“And that boardwalk has special meaning to Bob (her husband), it’s where he grew up.â€
“I didn’t know that. And how did you like our Christmas card?â€
“Next time I’m going to put a note in mine nagging you for yours.â€
“Believe me, you’ve brought it up so many times, your card already comes with that note.â€
The last time I’d talked to Joy was right after Patti died and we’d both, then, caught up on family matters. At some point, we always talk about the two widows, Mary and Dolly, who used to live between us. I’d walk through both yards to get to Joy and Bob’s.
“I guess you heard about Dolly?†My Two Neighbors and Parting Company
“No, I’ve been meaning to visit her again (In the nursing home behind Emerson Hospital).
“Dolly died. She finally got to go to her daughter’s in Texas, but she lived only three months.â€
“Three months?â€
“She had cancer, but no one knew it. At least she didn’t suffer much.â€
“And, Mary, is she still in the same nursing home?â€
“Mary doesn’t recognize anyone anymore.â€
I didn’t “get” the Hemingway story, thus the lack of comment. God there is so much to understand that I don’t when it comes to interpreting good writing. This is why I stick to biographies, nothing but facts. The “How to Read and Why” was extrememly helpful…I had no clue they were discussing abortion.
Is that Rodd’s family in this photo..the people I don’t know?
Your story of your conversation with your neighbor is so hearbreaking. I remember the Dolly stories. But at least she got to TX.
We didn’t send Christmas cards either. It was very unencumbering.
Happy New Year to all on this blog.
Comment by la Rad — December 31, 2005 @ 11:14 am
Robert, cousin of P Rodd, is the father of Katherine and (not pictured) Daniel. Larry is his friend from New York.
Diane is my wife.
Comment by michael — December 31, 2005 @ 11:29 am
Two of your best pieces ever, those linked earlier ones following Dolly & Mary. Au revoir, Dolly, whom I knew but through Mike’s words. No more new years …
You skipped a person in naming the lineup — unless her identity’s supposed to be more obvious than Diane’s. I plead small picture, smaller brain …
Comment by adam — December 31, 2005 @ 4:24 pm
Well done, Michael. Good links, missed those. Reminds me of experiences working at “The Ghost” as it was called before becoming Youville. Neighbors landing in neighboring hospital beds continuing their conversations as if they shared an MBTA seat and had agreed to get off at Charles which, of course, never came. I was always invited along for the ride. But I don’t remember getting on. Did I?
Comment by pokaku — December 31, 2005 @ 7:20 pm
My memory is we both got on and we both forgot to get off. Maybe that’s why it’s such a seamless ride now.
Comment by Michael Miller — January 1, 2006 @ 1:45 am