November 6th : Chicken Wing Day
Food of the Day for Year Goal
Day: 124

I do not know Mr. Teresa (when Cole was little, he always called his friends parents Mr. or Mrs. followed by the name of his playmate), but through Teresa’s Facebook shares I have developed a real fondness for her dad, who loves chicken wings and Cokes. When Teresa shared the following touching snippet of conversation with her dad with me…all I could think of to say as my eyes filled with tears was, “What a darling man,” and ask if I could share their touching conversation on Odd. Teresa agreed to share.

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Muse by: Teresa Cieslak Newell

My dad is an 87-year-old retired schoolteacher. In his heyday he read books constantly, scoured the newspapers (not one but three) daily, kept up with his favorite sports teams, and listened to news radio.

My dad is delightful.

Last February, we almost lost him. He was put on a ventilator and we were told he wouldn’t make it through the night. He proved us all wrong, though, and he rallied back…but not without some residual problems – one involving his short-term memory.

My sisters and I check in on our parents every night. We rotate. Here’s a little snippet of my conversation last night.

“Hello Dad! How are you doing today?”

“Terese! How’s my Terese?? So happy to see you! What did you bring me?”

“You haven’t eaten dinner, Dad?” (He refuses to eat anything other than take-out. No matter how hard we try, it’s either wings or fried shrimp.) He goes on to tell me he would like chicken wings. I think he could eat hot chicken wings every day.

Fine. I go to KFC for chicken wings and bring them back to my dad. We visit while he eats.

“So, what did you do today, Honey?”

“Dad, I worked.”

“How was work?”

“It was fine, nothing too exciting.”

“Where do you work?”

“ The Fertility Center.”

“You’re a nurse, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What do you do at work?”

“I draw blood, do ultrasounds, teach patients about their medications, count sperm.”

“You count sperm?”

“Yes. What did you have for breakfast today?”

“I don’t know.”

“What’s happening in the news?”

“I don’t know.”

“Dad, you have CNN on right in front of you.”

“I don’t pay attention.”

“Don’t you read the paper every day?”

“Only the obituaries and a few sports articles.”

“Anybody you know die?”

“All the time. Mostly acquaintances.”

“Oh.”

“Teresa, I don’t remember anything anymore.”

“Yes you do! How old are you?”

“Sixty-eight.”

“You’re 68??? What year were you born, Dad?”

“1924.”

“So that makes you 68? Do the math.”

“Four from 11 is seven…I’m 87!”

“See, Dad? Look how sharp you are!”

He smiles as he takes another bite from a wing.

“Dad, you remember a lot. It’s your short-term memory that’s not so great.”

“I’ve got such great kids! I love you, Teresa.”

“I love you too, Dad. You’ve got great kids because you and Mom were great parents.”

“You’re so good to me. What do I owe you for dinner?”

“Dad, you don’t owe me anything. I don’t mind buying you dinner.”

“Thank you so much! You are my sweetheart. I love you, Teresa!”

“I love you too, Dad.”

“So, what did you do today?”

“I went to work.”

“Where do you work?”

…

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And the seasons they go ‘round and ‘round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and ‘round and ‘round
In the circle game…

Muse with us….Odd Loves Company

♥
Kb

March 25, 2012: Rest In Peace Mr.Teresa…may heaven offer you lots of cold coke and swizzlers. ♥