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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Forever speaking in plural


Forty-seven years a widow.
Thirty-five years since her youngest child grew up and left home.
Ninety-two years - she's outlived most of her peers.
And yet, she still speaks in community:


"Look!  A package came for us!"
"Let's open it up and see what they sent us!"
"Who will do our laundry?"
(Never mind that her laundry for the week
consists of only 1 towel, 2 washcloths, 2 housecoats, 
2 nightgowns and sundry undergarments.
All signs of a solitary life.)


She spends her days in solitude,
her nights with hired health-care help.
Her weekends are long, broken only
by a random visitor.

But the heart-kitting work of relationship
never quite fades away.


She still speaks in plural.

I think that I will too.


Photos by my Emily girl, age 14.

4 comments:

  1. So sweet. I learn much from the elderly.

    Emily girl, your photos are lovely. Thank you.

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  2. Emily just wonderful! Your pictures and your writting! I need to speak in plural more!!

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  3. I had to click through from bloglines to tell you that this post, photos included, is incredibly poignant. You and Emily need to collaborate more often.

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  4. the pics are beautiful, Holly and the words made me nearly crying.. thank you. I hope your old friend is well and with her God's mercy.

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