Dad wore a too-big wool coat to fit around his multiple layers. He looked out the van window at his home on 311 East Main Street. “Good bye . . . old house.” He choked on the words as his eyes filled with tears. “You . . . served us well.” I wished we had time to sit and reminisce, understand, celebrate, forgive—countless Christmas’ and summers, long tables with family conversation and food, grandkids, celebrations, plus-one visits, minus-one endings, coming outs, prayers, politics, illnesses, Tim (my brother) died in this house, . . . mom and dad grew old. But we were already late for the nursing home admission so I began to pull away from the curb. “Back up” my sister demanded from the back seat. She sat next to mom who in addition to her winter coat was swaddled in a red and blue hand-knitted afghan. My sister held up the camera on her phone as mom started to sing ”This Ole House” but the only words she remembered were “Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer. I’m a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints.” Here’s the first verse and chorus (think white people gospel music and Lawrence Welk):
And if you want the 80’s YouTube version: Underneath my smile at my mom’ s sense of timing and humor (that ironically seems to get sharper with age), was my own wall of tears waiting for their turn. Laughter and tears are married in times such as these. Not now, I told myself as I put the van in drive, leaving their home in the rearview mirror. * * * * * Even though my sister and I had just been in Wisconsin three weeks earlier, we both decided that we were supposed to return. As much as I tried to talk myself out of it, I knew I had to go. It felt like a calling. My dad used to talk about getting “the call” from God whenever he decided it was time for our family to move. I was always skeptical because I never heard the phone ring. Maybe a calling is when you know something even though you never received a phone call. When we arrived, things had changed significantly from our last visit. When we left in December, mom seemed to be making a slow but steady recovery from her hospitalization for heart failure. But now mom was even more fragile, barely eating or drinking, unable to take herself to the bathroom, recently had fallen, frequently expressed her belief that she was dying and refused to see a doctor. She required help with everything. At night like an infant she needed us almost every 2 hours but instead of crying, she used a school bell—which she rang like life depended on it—I think it did. Dad was doing his very best but was clearly overwhelmed by mom’s needs and her seeming letting go of life. It was heart breaking. He was obsessed with making things better—changing doors and moving beds to make the house more conducive to their needs. Yet we also witnessed the cracks forming around his hope. It was almost too painful to watch—the man who views self-sufficiency as one of the Ten Commandments brought to his knees. Loss and grief were palpable.
Maybe the process of showing up is not something you learn. Perhaps it always feels like the first time because it’s supposed to . . . because it is. Showing up means I step onto a blank canvas in spite of my fear and say yes to the thing that is yet to be. It’s a birth—it’s always hard and always a miracle.
13 Comments
Barb Ellenberger
2/1/2016 06:16:59 am
Beautiful words, heart felt and poignant. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing.
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David
2/3/2016 02:42:08 pm
Thank you Barb for reading and your kind words. All the best to you.
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Todd Bjurquist
2/1/2016 09:47:25 am
How true your words ring! Amazing read...tears flowing!
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David
2/3/2016 02:44:07 pm
Thank you Todd. It is always humbling and a honor when my writing connects with others. tears always tell the truth. :-)
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Ann Klein
2/3/2016 11:40:54 am
I grew up in Plum City as well David; actually my grandmother (Rose Klein) lived in the lower, white section this home. The childhood memories you have brought back warmed me from the inside out. I remember sitting on the sidewalk watching the parades pass by and listening to the high school band, visiting the winding creek thru this tiny city from the infamous center of town attraction...The Duck Pond...this town that taught many of us the values of life. What a joy this was to read!
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David
2/3/2016 02:48:00 pm
I'm touched to have touched your memories. Hold them close. ,
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Kathy Anderson
2/3/2016 06:46:56 pm
What a beautiful story. I will be eternally grateful that I stopped to visit your mom and dad when I was in Wisconsin last October. They are both among my favorite people and I love them dearly. Please tell them hi for me and that I love them. Would you please email me with their new address. Thank you for posting this.
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David
2/10/2016 09:48:21 am
Thank you for your note and for your care and concern for my parents. If you want to send me an email, I can reply with their address.
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Bruce Jahnke
2/4/2016 04:07:06 pm
David, your dad and mom were my selected mentors when I began my ministry at Plum City. When they returned from Apple River to Durand I thought I was the 'richest' green pastor there was! To have them for counsel, experience, stability and most of all a godly example of two people who walked with God and lived their lives to please Him, was amazing! I am ever in their debt for their love, faithfulness and joy they brought to me, my family and the church! They have forever loved you and your sister and what are doing for them now (showing up) is a gracious and loving return. They deserve the highest respect and honor that can be given them! Thanks for the well written article.
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David
2/10/2016 09:51:54 am
Thank you Bruce. I know they think a lot of you and your family as well.
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Cathy Jo Strand
2/5/2016 01:11:19 pm
hello David! I love the song! I can hear the humor and the tears of the irony of what has to be done and your Mom trying to change the mood in the car. Huge hugs to you and Becky, Danny, and Steve!! love ya Cathyjo
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David
2/10/2016 09:53:59 am
Cathy, your mom and your family have a special place in our family's story. Thank you
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Wanda Scoble (Durham ...from Oxlip)
8/2/2017 02:21:41 pm
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