Norman Rockwell

The Moment I Saw You

Betsy Doll

The moment I saw you,

I instantly knew that for me there would be no other girl but you.

We met by chance at a wedding dance.

One glance was the start of our romance.

You were my girl, my girl.

Then one day you changed my life.

My girl became my wife, no longer my girl, my wife.

For 79 years we traveled the world.

We saw many strange lands, but always came home holding hands.

We raised a family of whom we are proud.

Just the two of us soon became a crowd.

I wake up in the morning to greet the newborn day.

I can’t wait to see you, and say,

“Betsy doll, I love you.”

I love you.

Morrie

Betsy doll, wherever you are.

On this Earth or on a star, I love you.

(September 30, 2022)

Appetite

My best and only son Steve came, only this time he did not bring stuff to eat.

Chorita had put stuff on the table that caught his eye and he “dived” into it.

He ate with the appetite I used to have – everything in sight (I kept my hands out of reach.)

***

He left in about an hour. We banged knuckles on his way out.

“Take care,” I said.

As usual, he went into the bedroom and picked up my writing and left.

He’s a busy man.

I’m not.

When he leaves I think I’ll take a nap.

That’s what old people do.

Morrie

(September 29, 2022)

Holding Your Hand

New Addition

Whenever I think about the new addition to our family it brings a smile to my face.

She was put on my lap when I visited.

With a ribbon around her forehead, she was “cute as hell.” I tickled her chin. She looked at me and giggled. Emily beamed as a proud mother.

***

I love my family.

It’s always heartwarming to see them and to know all is well and stays well.

Morrie

(September 14, 2022)

Fading Memories

My mind is playing tricks on me.

I am having terrible, frightening dreams.

Last night, I had a scary one from which I awoke with a sweat.

I was relieved.

I felt someone poking me.

I looked up.

It was smiling Cherito.

She pointed to our large wall clock.

7:30 a.m.

Time to get up.

I did with a feeling of relief.

(I wonder where the word “nightmare” came from.)

Anyway, returning from a good lunch of scrambled eggs and, as you are reading, I’m writing.

In front of me are many photos of Betty and me. …

I loved her from the moment I saw her – always did, always will.

Morrie

(August 29, 2022)

Facts About Me

Like it or not, energetic Morrie (me) is running out of the “stuff” and for good reason – I am 108 years old.

Without my wheelchair and Cherito’s help, I’m helpless. 

All I want to do is sit.

Am I complaining?

Hell no.

None of my old friends are around. Not even the exercising health “nuts.”

The last time I went to “muscle beach” in Venice, no one I recognized doing push-ups was there.

I didn’t see empty cartons of “power drinks” lying around.

All the guys with “bulging muscles” were gone. 

***

At the age of 108 I am in good shape.

I don’t have a bulging stomach. 

***

Cherito handed me a wrapped piece of chocolate, which I unwrapped and put in my mouth. I didn’t enjoy eating it as I used to.

Has my taste changed? 

I really don’t know.

With my scrambled eggs, I’m “achin’ for bacon” with a toasted half of an English muffin.

For me, nothing is better.

When I get up, I look forward to eating it … with English marmalade jam.

Nothing is better for breakfast – at least for me.

Morrie

(August 29, 2022)

Son of a Gun

I opened my eyes and looked at my watch.

It was 3:49 p.m.

Lying on the alcove couch, a story gelled in my mind.

***

Living close to a city dump everyday, I would watch a fleet of city garbage trucks. 

Heavily loaded, they struggled to climb a steep hill. To make it, they had to shift in low gear, making a grinding noise resonating through the canyon.

You saw them but you couldn’t hear them.

Reaching the top, they drove a short distance to a smelly field, tilted their load, which slid off.

Repulsed by the sounds and smells, they couldn’t wait to get out of the area.

They had their load “signed off” by a guy wearing a mask, turned around and headed downhill.

They had done their job.

The load they dumped was food for the chattering birds.

Squawking wildly, vultures, falcons, hawks surrounded me.

I quickly got in my car. I saw a site I had never seen, nor will ever forget.

(August 23, 2022)

Poppee

Just finished talking with “J.”

She told me that “Poppee” (who was like a grandmother to our kids) her husband was killed in WWI. 

She never spoke about him.

I still have guilty feelings about not doing more for her.

We lived on a steep hill.

I could have taken her to the Church of the Open Door and arranged to meet her after services and driven her home.

I could have helped her with her shopping.

I didn’t.

To Betty and me she was family.

When we moved west, we never saw her again. 

She died in her sleep.

Good, sweet “Poppee.”

Our family will never forget her.

Sweet dreams “Poppee” (mucho love)

Morrie

P.S. Neither of our kids ever forgot “Poppee.” She loved them as if they were her children.

P.P.S. I have few regrets in my life. One was not doing more for “sweet Poppee.”

(August 15, 2022)

Reporting

With my eyes permitting, I tried to stay awake until 8 p.m.

I watched CNN news and then headed to bed.

With Chi-Chi’s help, she gives me pills, she pulls back the covers and “plops” me into bed.

Hopefully, I will fall asleep soon.

Sometimes, I look at Betty’s picture and speak to her.

No one knows if she’s listening.

So … dear readers … good night.

Morrie

(August 12, 2020)