Worlds Aids Day is tomorrow. This is the day that I remember

I volunteered at The Grand Rapids Aids Resource Center. I began my journey with HIV/AIDS same year Magic Johnson was diagnosed.

During those years I became familiar with the many faces of the disease, and the humor, courage and fear of the clients. Mostly I remember the humor and courage.
At times we shared laughter, but many times it was the tears that got us through another day, hour, minute that was filled with uncertainty.

Among our clients was a Football player that had lost his two front teeth, a 7 year old child, a member of a musical family and many, many average individuals that taught me about life.

One young man taught me about pain. He remarked one day about how intense his pain could be by telling me, “If I had a gun I would put it to my head and pull the trigger, not to kill myself, but to make the pain go away. He died ant the age of 22. Another client knew he was dying, so he went with his family to select his gravesite, he died a week later, surrounded by family.

Too many of our clients died alone. You see, many of our clients were outcasts from their families. The reasons do not matter; the important part is that we became their families. And in many cases we were able to encourage reconciliation with them. I remember one client that cried when I hugged him. It had be quite a while since anyone wanted to touch him because he had Aids. About 3 months later with the assistance of many special people he was flown home to die surrounded by a family he had not seen in several years. These things marked our success.

Mostly I remember their courage. Many of them volunteered to speak publicly about the disease and how it affected their lives. At that time most clients would live about 6 months to one year after diagnosis. So we experienced many, many losses.

For all the clients and special people who made this part of my life a blessing. Today . . .

I REMEMBER.

So I have not posted anything in about a year. Not much has been happening. Well not true. I have two new great grandchildren and one of my grand daughter’s got married. I am still working, and enjoying it. Will be visiting the pup in a couple of weeks. He is going to make me sleep on the floor. So now I have updated stuff will probably write more later. Will tell you about the remodeling going on at this house.

I went up to    set up my Memorial Day campsite.  I decided to have breakfast in the town of Newaygo.  Delicious breakfast and Hugh napkins.  The size you expect in a upscale restaurant. 

Now I suppose you are wondering why I would comment on the napkins.  This is quite a story.  You see, when they only have small napkins, I must devise alternative ways to sneak my extra snacks home.

Ususally they sit on my bosom and ride along with me where ever I go.  That is one way I can tell if I have eaten a meal.  However, when I am dining with others invarably one of them will point out the snack sitting on my bosom and promptly grab a small napkin and proceed to remove the snack.

That is why I was so delighted to see such large roomy napkins.  I would be able to take my leftovers home with no proble.

I have my campsite up and running.  This year I am camping up along the ridge of the creek.  Very much off the regular track.  The locals tell me that the site has been very quiet lately.  I can only hope this will be true for the holidays.  I will go up on Wednesday night and return sometime of Sunday.  This gives me Monday to recover. 

I will need the time.  This camping is quite soon after CHICAGO.  And the big BEAN.

 I have many many more pictures, but this one gives a very nice overview.  It kind of looks like a jelly fish or mushroom.  I am not sure.  But it was really fun to walk around. And at last we can capture the entire skyline at one time.  Although it tends to be a tad bit distorted.

I did have a Chicago Hotdog as well as Chicago Pizza.  but believe it or not the best for me was oatmeal at Starbucks.

Did you know you can have oatmeal for breakfast at Starbucks?  Starbucks is the Hounds favorite place to spend time.   Only cause he likes the connect time.  The Starbucks in the train station was playing one of my favorite artists,  Ella Fitzgerald.  Boy the blues sax really brought back  memories of the early sixties.  Hole in the wall jazz and blues clubs in Downtown G. R.  and going into them before I was old enough.  (My friend Rosie was a very good influence on me)  Music appreciation with the proper setting.   I do remember.  It was a good thing I was not self conscious.  These clubs in the GR area were black culture.   I will say this the patrons were very tolerant of the two white girls.  It helped that we were the guests of two very well known musicians of the time.  I do remember fondly the mellow music.  Great Sax.  wonderful guitar.  Acoustic, not electric and the beat was infectious.   Many memories.

You must forgive me if I tend to ramble today.

I find I am depressed. Or, what passes for depression.  I find that times like this I tend to  think at breakneck speed.  And thinking about stuff that is absolutely meaningless.  For example.

Presidents that are first to take full advantage of new technology.

President Roosevelt.  And his fireside chats.  Don’t know if he used radio before he became president, but, his chats did connect him to the people.

A friend of mine remembered one of those chats very vividly.  Mothers, your sons will never, I say never fight on foreign soil.  We all know how that turned out.  Second world war.

But, he effectively used the latest technology to convenience the people of the rightness of his decisions.

John F. Kennedy, Most notably, the televised debates between Nixon and himself.    Many things happened during that election year that we want to forget.  And because we wanted to, we have.  Fortunately, history will be the final judge.

Because I was 17 at the time, I remember much of the hoopla.  I was so happy about Kennedy being elected.  And if the truth be told it had less to do with politics and more to do with the glamour of the First Couple. They were people who were closer to me in age, and who had much in common with me.  Like a torch had been passed, from one generation to another and now the RIGHT THINGS would be taken care of.  Peace would reign and all would be right with the world.  But, ahead of us was the Cuban Crisis, Bay of pigs and Vietnam.  Yes, If we only knew.  Kennedy did send the first combat troops to Vietnam. I don’t know if that was a right or wrong decision.  But these were the decisions Americans had to live with.  And the atmosphere I matured in. 

We still hear about Camelot. And many look back at that time as one of peace and goodness, but, not so much.  The Illusion is in our minds.  I wonder why we continue to see those times that way?

Yesterday we elected another President that uses the latest technology in a very effective manner.  Many historic things have happened.  And we go forth as a nation with renewed hope and a sense that Now, things will be better.  Where have I heard that before?  The more things change the more they stay the same.  The only thing that changes is the generation. And each successive generation has the sense that it is our generation that can

WORLD AIDS DAY

In another Lifetime, I worked in an Aids Resource Center.  It was at the time that Magic Johnson disclosed he had tested positive.

Many of our clients died within months of being diagnosed, while others are still alive.

It was difficult for us.  Getting close to the client only to have them leave us.  And yet, those times were also rewarding.  Our staff shared laughter and tears with the clients and their families.  Many of them I remember fondly, and, with a few tears.

I remember the 7 year old child that had aids.  I was her granny.  One of the tasks I had was to drive her and her 2 sisters to visit their mother in the local hospice.  The mother did not speak English, but, she always noticed when I was wearing something different, or had a haircut.  She would say something to me.  Watching the children with her and knowing how little time they had with her was difficult.

The most interesting things happened with our educational program.  I was one of the Educators, and when we spoke, usually we were accompanied by a client speaker.  Yes, our clients volunteered to go public with their stories, and usually they would present the story in a very humorous light before explaining how the disease affected their lives.  One of our Clients, spoke just 5 days before his death.

From these individuals I learned patience, humor, and how to live life today.  I also learned that sadness comes and goes.  But I still cry for many of them.  How interesting these people touched my life and left such a lasting impression.  I will relate to you just one story perhaps then you will understand.

One day I noticed tiny bruises on my feet.  I did not think much of it, but, one of my clients was a hemophilic.  When he saw the poka dots on my feet he insisted that I go to the dr.  So to humor him I did just that.  The Dr drew blood and sent it off to the local lab.

Mind you I still am planning my fall camping trip to the Upper Peninsula.   Fast forward 28 hours.  I get a call at work from the Dr office.  Go to St Mary’s Hospital.  There seems to be a slight problem with the test and they want to retest me.  This is not a problem for me the Center is only 5 blocks from the Hosp.  So I gaily skip over to give more blood. 

About 2 hours later, I receive another call telling me to go to the hosp for admission.  Ok.  I figure they will give me a transfusion and I will be on my merry ole way to my vacation.  By this time, you could play connect the dots on my legs, but I am still not worried. I did not worry until I discovered blood blisters on the inside of my mouth.  The dr finally came and explained that the clotting factor in my blood was not working.

Now I must tell you I still feel just fine thank you.  And why can’t I take a shower, and do I really need to have my BP taken once an hour all night long,  And the Answer was always yes it is necessary.

My first morning in the hospital was quite a bit a fun.  You see, my first visitor was one of my clients.  He had been really sick.  But, when he found out I was in the hosp. on the same floor as he was he just had to stop in and say hi.  Here he came hauling his IV pole with his skinny bony legs sticking out, just to cheer me up.  We knew he was dying, were not sure what my problem was, but here he came to cheer me up.  I guess reversal of roles is ok.  He was released the next day, and I stayed for another 5 days, but his visit was the first of many of my friends, that put their concerns on a back burner just to cheer me up.

Most of them are dead now.  And I no longer work with that population.  PWA’s are living much much longer and healthier lives.  So perhaps, centers like the one I worked for are no longer necessary.  I hope so.

And yet, today I remember and cry for my friends. And pray for those living with the virus. All of them are very precious, and today I remember.

The Crone.

My Keeper has been nagging me. He is upset cause I have not updated my blog in a little while. To be truthful, I have not felt very creative lately, but the hound doe not care about my creativity, so here goes.

In July the family did its usual Blissfest. I got to have company in my tent. Two young ones. Madelynn (the sweetpea) and Patrick. They usually were worn out by the end of the day.

Blissfest does a really good job of being family friendly, so the had a workshop for kids. Drumming and the kids could really drum. After that the kids made their own drums and then had a parade around the grounds, ending up at the base of the main stage. They proudly played there instruments while one of the artists performed. It was the highlight of the week end for them.

In September, I went for my usual 5 days in the woods. This time I was joined by the Sweetpea and her mother. Muffin had to attend school but she was able to spend evenings and some mornings with me. On the week end Kim and Tori joined us. One of Kims cats decided that Tori’s lap was the most comfortable one around and never left her (even slept at her feet keeping her nice and toasty).

October rolled around and guess what.
Sweet pea is now four years old. It doesn’t seem possible.But, I did attend her birthday party. She was the star.
As she was opening her presents she would show them to every one, put it on the shelf with the rest of them then, she would hold out her hand and say NEXT! and wait for the next present to be given to her. I did manage to persuade grandpa to attend. I think he had as much fun as the kids. Tor had balloons all over the floor and the toddlers were having fun bopping grandpa with them.

Next up.  Tori’s surprise birthday party. It was a hit, and Tori was  surprised.  Because her birthday was Oct 25 they threw a costume party.  Tori came  as mother nature.  Every one was the entertainment.  They had a karoke set up. And the greatest entertainment was sweet pea and her girlfriend.  They sang about 4 songs.  Jeffrey was able to fly in from The cape, so all of her children were in attendance.

Brandon looked dashing as a native mexican. He is such a handsome man.  And today he is 21 years old.

Thats about it for now

The Crone

Last week I spent 2 days with the Little Darl’n. Boy was I tired when I got home. I took BillieBear with me. Now just to remind you Billie Bear is the 3 1/2 foot stuffed bear that I brought back with me from Dallas.

When Sweetpea first saw Billie it was love at first sight. Do you know what it is like to try to sleep with a big bear in bed with you? She finally decided that Billie could sleep on the floor.

The next day she realized that the bear was big enough to be a bed just the right size for her. And no, I did not let her put a sheet over him for a bed.

The next day, after we dropped her mother off at School, it was off to White Cloud to visit her Uncle Jeff. AND Hank. Hank is a dog. And Hank loves to fetch.

Hank and Sweetpea spent about an hour playing.

Now after being in the river you can guess that Hank smells like the swamp thing, so Jeff decides that Hank needs a bath, yes with Sweetpeas’s help, in her Nana’s bath tub. And dried Hank with Nan’s good towel.

Just before Jeff left to take Hank to Holly’s he said, He didn’t think his mother would be too thrilled with the mess he left. How true.

It took Tori a few minutes to wander into the bathroom. Then “What happened to my tub!” It took me a few minutes to compose myself enough to answer. ‘That’s how your son said you would react. He gave Hank a bath. After looking around she declared, “And he used my good towel to dry him!.” I don’t know what the result of that was, but they were here today, and Jeff still had his head on his shoulders.

Now I love to take photos. And first thing in the morning when I can capture to real personality of relationships is a very good time. This is just one of the photos of mother and daughter.

After church with Tori Jeff and S.P. tried their hand at the Piano.

Jeff leaves tomorrow to fly back to the Cape. He did stop by today. He had stuff to store in my attic. It is a good thing I have the room.

Must close

granny

I  am in Elgin this week-end

I began my drive about 5:15 yesterday morning. It was a rather eventful drive. You see about 5:30 just as I was south of Holland, my car began to sway to and fro while driving forward. I thought there was something wrong with my car. This lasted about a minute, then everything returned to normal. I did think it a strange stretch of road.

About 20 minutes later, the radio announced there was an earthquake in the midwest. Centered in lower Indiana/Illinois border. It measured 5.2.

That was the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long while. I did arrive at 8 o’clock in the morning and startled Shelly. She was sure I would arrive at 9 am her time. Not my time. We immediately started out for Norstroms Rack where I found 4 tops and one pair of slacks and also one pair of shoes.

Of course there is playing with Dutchess. The Kids chocolate Lab. She is about 8 years old.

She has always loved to play with children.  As you can see she is very gentle with her play children.  For a while.

My next project was to create the Graduation Announcement for Luis.  Yes, my other grandson is graduating.

This is the final version of the invite.

The weather was not so nice.  It threatened to rain most of the week end.  So we spent a very relaxing  week-end watching movies and talking.  Anthony was with his girlfriend.  They were to attend a wedding in Gaylord Mi  So they were gone the whole week end and Luis was busy with teenager stuff.

My trip home was uneventful. Of course the Hound did call (so nice of him) He wants me to take a picture of the latest addition to my family.  So that I will do next time I write.

I am going to add a couple of pictures Shelly took.  I have fallen in love with them

.Beautiful aren, they.

Must go now

love

Granny

I am still working out.  I am beginning to notice that I am firming up.  Even my underarms.   I might get to be in shape yet.

Tammy delivered the twins.  Their names are Donivan and Gidian.  They both are normal weight and very healthy.

Jessica is doing well in College.  She is planning to go to school in the summer.  Hopefully she will be able to get into the family housing on campus.  Right now her days are School and spending lots of quality time with sweetpea.  She told me she doesn’t have time for anything else.

And now for      THE GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT 

The Hound has relocated.  He now lives in the Big T, The land of cowboys’ The lone Star State.  TEXAS.  By Dallas.

You recall our trip to Toronto was just 3 months ago.  Well even before he moved he began his  campaign  for me to visit him in his new apartment. (he hadn’t leased it yer). But it did not take th man very long and I was eagerly looking forward to my visit.

I arrived at the Love airport about 11:50.  Hungry.  Thirsty. The Hound was just a tad late, so after a brief tour of the area we had lunch and then proceeded to his apartment.

Did I mention that he has a room mate?   I have met John before in San Diego, but had not seen him after he moved to Arizona.    I was greeted by John with a big hug and welcome.  He was busy in the Kitchen fixing a special treat for me.  Chicken and home made noodles.  It took me back to my mother and my daughter busily making noodles on the kitchen table and flout in all the places only a 3 year old can find.  Of course John was much neater.

My old inflatable bed was no longer operable (the hound lost the pump), so I was treated to a very new Queen Sized air mattress.  And it was very comfortable

One of our first outings was to buy food  So off we went to a store called Central Market.  Big, and wonderful.  So much to see and taste, so litle time.  I think they had about every type of food imaginable from every country in the world (and I think I saw some food from !!!!!!!  Quite a feast for the senses.  Dinner that night was a delight.  Kudos to the Chef.

Too bad every meal was not so successful.  We were going to have veg. Chili.  With fresh tomatoes and everything from scratch.  Please notice the past tense.  Chili burns when there is not enough liquid added.  Soooooo no chili.  But the New England boiled dinner was superb.  I, of course, was recruited to cook breakfast.  Each of us took a turn at cooking and then the Hound insisted that clean up was done correctly.

The evenings were spent talking and watching movies.

One of our days was spent at the Dallas Aquarium.  And we viewed an assortment of very unique sea dwellers.  The one that stands out in my mind was the scorpion fish.  A redish pink color.  The rays gliding thru the water with their little faces moving across my field of vision.

Taking photographs of moving fish thru water was quite the challenge, but we did manage to get so fair pictures of fish and habitat.

Unfortunately my trip ends like always—-too soon and so home I came.  Back to the everyday routine.  Work, Home, Sleep, Workout.

But, I get to look forward to my next trip.  Back to Chicago on the 18th.  This time to create Graduation announcements for my other Grandson.  Yes, Allen’s youngest son Graduates this year. . .  I will be seeing Dutchess, Allen’s Chocolate Lab.  She is a real LOVE.

And to think that the Hound has rescued a dog too.  Now the Hound has his own Pup.  Fancy that.  He too has a Chocolate Lab.  His boy is named Milo.  The hound is giving me weekly updates too.   BTW Allen, tell Anthony it is my turn to treat.  Frozen Custard anyone!!!!

Later

granimam