Today was a day for me to complete a tick list that I create only for myself to honor.
The two items were completed the day before Thanksgiving: a day time phone call to Aunt Janet in Brownton followed by a phone call to Aunt Dorothy in Gaylord. In a perfect world, I would have been on the open highways for personal visits. Janet is in her 80s and Dorothy in her 90s. The wonderful thing is both are chatty and the phone calls just about made it to the hour mark for each of them.
Wednesday evening I called Aunt Lorraine, in her 80s, in Arizona for a “catch up.” All bases were covered, all the while working with food prep for Thanksgiving Day in between the phone calls. As I mentioned earlier, it is my personal being that pulls me towards keeping in contact with these three gals.
Thanksgiving Day is meant for me to be totally in that zone for whatever time the family needs. The evening hours that follow after everyone is on their way home, brings on reflections of the day while some extra dishes are stashed away. Those reflections will now become the memories that will become sweeter with time.
This morning while a second pot of coffee was brewing, allowed for me to catch up with my brother Michael. It’s always a treat to see what he and his family have been up to. Michael is recovering from esoghageal cancer and he and I have always felt the need to give the other a jingle during a holiday weekend.
The extra coffee was being brewed as I had coffee company coming. Renee worked for me for over 20 years at the courthouse until my retirement. Renee enjoys coming over to Stauffer Avenue for coffee, chit chat and sometimes venting over the State of Minnesota’s real estate tax laws that the office contends with on a daily basis.
This afternoon, Lorraine was coming for coffee and chit chat. Lorraine worked for me many years ago, before she decided to stay home for full time mothering of two adopted daughters. Lorraine, in her 80s, is now a widow and enjoys spending some time quilting and most important staying in touch. Ironically, her family has grown and moved away from St. James and many family members are gone. Her days can be quite alone.
Renee and Lorraine were the last two items on my list to take care of before the season got any later, and most of all, busier. Both of the visitors today need a bit of extra support over a friendly cup of coffee and open sharing of what their days entail.
Lorraine had barely left when my sister called. Elvera is in the midst of some health concerns. Elvera is in her second year of being cancer free, so the concerns are real and keeping in touch is important.
My family’s needs never require to be included on a list. They all know I am just a phone call away. When they feel that pain in the neck that they can’t explain, it’s me letting them know I am thinking of them.
Perhaps when I said I had a tick list, it may have sounded like a “have to” list. Far from it. Keeping an important list close to the forefront of my mind comes about as it includes people that are close to my heart. I have the energy and time to give to those who may need from me what I have an abundance of: caring and time to listen.