Sunday Nancy and their friends drove Lynne through the red, white, and pink cherry blossoms in the Arboretum. She got in and out of the car more easily since she has gone for more rides. She talked. She expressed interest in going back to the Volunteer Park Conservatory. They walked through the green ferns and red flowers crowding the path with the sweet savor of nature compared to the sterile walls of Life’ Neighborhood.
Sunday Edith sent a song called Crowded Table written and performed by Brandi Carlile and her group the Highwomen. Edith was listening to music as rode her bike at the base of the Three Sister’s Mountains in central Oregon. “The lyrics remind me of the friendship shared and the journey with Lynne. That’s all I want,” thought Edith, “a crowded table. I was sobbing so hard I had to pull my bike over.” She sent the title of the song and lyrics to their friends and me hoping Lynne could hear it.
The boys take her for drives daily now to get ice cream according to the concierge. They remark about presence is memorable compared to frail octogenarians surrounding Lynne in the lobby. Lynne’s thin body strengthens with the movement, hugs and talks with her boys.
She is blossoming with it. Sunday night she greeted me with a smile and reached out. She said, “I am happy.”
I choked up instead of saying something like, of course, or wonderful. Aegis activities and friends visiting fill me with deep appreciation compared to my solo activities. They’re more creative and the multiple bodies make it more comfortable for Lynne.
Nancy sent us all a cheer. Great Job Team (Lynne’s crowded table)!
Monday morning my eyes had tears when I read Crowded Table lyrics and pictured Edith sobbing on the side of the road. I downloaded it to Lynne’s Pandora song list. Crowded Table was the first song Lynne heard Monday when I put on her headphones.
Lyrics for Crowded Table by Brandi Carlie and the HIghwomen You can hold my hand When you need to let go I can be your mountain When you're feeling valley-low I can be your streetlight Showing you the way home You can hold my hand When you need to let go Yeah, I want a house with a crowded table And a place by the fire for everyone Let us take on the world while we're young and able And bring us back together when the day is done. If we want a garden We're gonna have to sow the seed Plant a little happiness Let the roots run deep If it's love that we give Then it's love that we reap If we want a garden We're gonna have to sow the seed Yeah I want a house with a crowded table And a place by the fire for everyone Let us take on the world while we're young and able And bring us back together when the day is done The door is always open Your picture's on my wall Everyone's a little broken And everyone belongs Yeah, everyone belongs I want a house with a crowded table And a place by the fire for everyone Let us take on the world while we're young and able And bring us back together when the day is done And bring us back together when the day is done
This is such a lovely post, Jim. Our friend should be back now and we’ll start visiting again.
Just saw Jim Russell on the Alzheimer’s Walk Reunion moments ago, what a strong man and family in caring for his daughter Lynne . May God Bless you all & keep you well .