“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. (All pictures by Marylin Warner)
Maggie the Reindeer Dog; observe her antlers?
St. Lucia, “Bearer of Light”–do you observe the candles or the cupcakes?
Dear Mom,
Humor columnist Dave Berry wrote this about Christmas shopping: “Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.”
Berry is right about one thing, each of us “observing” in our own way. Before the dementia, Mom, you were an astute and creative observer of life. Then you would take out your tablet and pen, and your favorite observations became poems.
Today as others hustle and bustle around busy malls, searching for perfect gifts, I’m going to again share the poem you wrote in 1990 about the perfect romance you discovered in a shopping mall.
“SHOPPING MALL ROMANCE” ~by Mary Shepherd
Surrounded by parcels I sat there,
On a bench in the shopping park mall.
I had finished my Christmas shopping
And in exhaustion feared I might fall.
I could see him coming toward me;
His eyes sought mine all the while.
I tenderly watched his quick footsteps.
He held out his arms with a smile.
I glanced at the pretty young lady
Who possessively grabbed for his hand.
Did she know what a treasure she held there?
The greatest in all our fair land.
He fell on my lap and clung to me.
I patted his plump-diapered rear:
A seventy-two-year-old grandma.
And a fifteen-month toddler so dear.
As you shop for those last minute, perfect presents this Christmas, may you have the gift of observation.
Years ago, in the early stages of dementia, Mom reading to her great-grandchildren.
Things I Want To Tell My Mother 