Too Young to Say Thank You

My eyes were still heavy. I heard the humming of the television in the background. It was that weird man that always begged for money right before he decided to pray for you. You know the one with the wife that wore tons of make up. She looked funny. She cried a lot. I don't know if she was sad or happy....she wasn't crying today though. I was awake now thanks to Miss Mary poking me with her cane.

I hate it when she does that. But she's an old lady and she isn't trying to hurt me. She just wants me to wake up and her legs hurt and make funny noises when she has to get up from her chair and walk over to the couch. 


So, I sit up and pretend to be just waking up. It's time for lunch. My cheese and grape jelly sandwich. I made it myself while I was still at home.

I wish my mom didn't have to work. I don't like staying with these old people. Their house smells funny and I can't watch cartoons - just this same crying lady with lots of make up and her husband who prays for you when you send him some money.

It's either that or bowling. 

I can't go outside to play. It's way too cold for that. I guess I'll sit on the rug in front of the space heater and watch the flames jump and dance with one another. If I watch the flames long enough, I imagine them as people walking together, playing games and having fun....something I can't do in this house.

I wish my mom didn't have to work. I don't like staying with these old people. They smell funny....


5 Years Later - Age 10

A phone call from my mother while I was spending the weekend at my Aunt's house

Mom -  I just wanted to call and let you know Miss Mary died this morning. Mr. Gus had passed away a few years before.

Me - Was she sick?

Mom - No honey. She was just old. Her niece says she just died in her sleep.

Me - That's so sad. I give the phone back to my Aunt and head out on the porch...sit down  and cry.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Gus and Mary...they probably were 80+ years old all those years ago when they "baby sat" me while my mom worked in the afternoons.

I can remember playing pranks on Miss Mary and hopping out of the way quickly before she could swat at me with her cane...well, she would swat...although, she rarely ever connected.

Mr. Gus would always let me brush his hair. It was as white as snow and smelled like an old quilt...(whatever that smells like).

I didn't see it then but I can see it so clearly now....35 years later.

Their eyes.

Their eyes would sparkle and dance with joy when I walked in. Both of their toothless grins broad and satisfied...stretched across their faces.

I did something for them. I added something to their lives...bouncing around...playing and making them laugh. I was just too young to realize it.

....and they added something to mine.

Even though their house smelled funny....heck, they even smelled funny....I loved visiting those two old souls.

The PTL Club, the bowling, only being able to play with the imaginary friends I conjured up out of the flames from the space heater didn't matter.

I loved them and they loved me.

Thank you, Mr. Gus and Miss Mary...I haven't thought about you guys in years. You were wonderful old people who cared for me like I was a member of your family.

Thanks for being there when a mischievous little girl needed you the most!