Time. There’s never enough. I always feel behind so, I procrastinate. Does that make any sense? Not really.
After neglecting my “should list” for the entire morning, I took off to join up with my 83-year old buddy, Annabelle. With fourteen blockages around her heart, her time is definitely “limited” although you would never know it. Annabelle wasn’t on my “should list”. She was in my heart as a “must do”. My heart is one thing I adhere to!
She welcomed me at her door with an infectious smile, homemade coffee packed in a thermos, delicious store bought treats for later and her walker ready to be repacked. “The doctor doesn’t want me to drive anybody,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “So I just go by myself.” But today I was honoured to be her chaueffer.
The conversation began in her usual way, with gratitude. Accepting her recent diagnosis, she soon dismissed talk of her health and focused on how happy she was that I would meet her friend whom she visited often and fed supper to every Sunday.
Riddled with Multiple Sclerosis and in a long-term care facility, I was escorted in with the intention that I would write about this remarkable woman who had once been a model and was a mother of five. Resilient, determined and forthright Annabelle’s friend filled our time with stories and much laughter!
But it was Annabelle that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Was it the comforting words and shaking hand as she fed her companion? Was it the resourcefulness as she pulled out her own forks and plates so as not to impose? Or could it be that little girl giggle as she heaped the whipped cream on our delicious goodies while telling an off coloured joke? I sat feeling I was witness to something sacred.
Remembrances of her friend welled up in Annabelle as she apologized for her frequent enthusiastic interruptions. She kept telling me to write things down and I did but it was all about her.
I dropped her off and promised a coffee date. I knew it had to be soon. I left with a tremendous peace. If it was one thing Annabelle didn’t waste, it was time.
I woke up the next morning invigorated. This day I would live it like Annabelle.