This and That at The Peanut Butter Cafe & Roadhouse

I’ve been up since 4 am

April 28, 2008 AmeliaJake 1 Comment

I don’t know why I got up at four, other than because I woke up and thought it was Monday and I couldn’t dread it any longer, I might as well jump into it. I think there is something not quite right about that logic, but I’m not going to delve into it any further, other to say that I am certain I had the intestinal fortitude to pull the covers over my head and dread it some more.

I got up; I did some work on the computer and then I got a Diet Coke and a half a peanut butter sandwich. I put the DC in a glass with ice, even though it was already cold and then, because I felt an overwhelming need for sugar, I put in a few ounces of actual Coke. Then I worked a little more on the computer.

I have now been up four hours and I would really like to nap – because my eyes are tired and because it is a gray sky out there. It is also damp and chilly. Oh, what would be the word for that? Do you remember the incredibly hard time Billy Crystal had trying to sum up hot and humid and moist for the book he was writing in the movie Throw Momma Off the Train? (Sultry – Momma thought of it.)

The dog is sleepy. He needs company on the sofa. It is a long sofa – the two of us could curl up on each end, sort of butt to butt. And then someone could take a picture . . . Bum to Bum and Butt to Butt. Of course, if we were to assume this pose often, that someone could paint us. It might become a famous painting, maybe hang in the Lourvre. In the remake of The Da Vinci Code, there might be a message on the painting . . . probably on my butt – it’s the bigger of the two.

One thought on “I’ve been up since 4 am”

pottermom says:

April 28, 2008 at 9:06 am

I got up at 4 am also… but I got to spend the next hour driving my husband across the city to the airport and then another hour to get home….. at 6 am I went back to bed, no staying up for me. 🙂

I don’t think I could have thought clear enough to write anything of substance. Makes my driving all the scarier.

Comments are closed.

***Jody Lynn Vance: 1985-2011***

Jody was born at sunrise on a bright, sunny, cold, snowy Groundhog’s Day and from Day One she was a gift to everyone around her. Her infectious laugh and rambunctious spirit made her the center of attention where ever she happened to be.

She and her Dad would watch Sesame Street and sing at the top of our voices (and quite out of key) all of the songs. She enjoyed having Mom fix her hair so it was fancy and just right.

As a toddler she had quite an impressive vocabulary and often had a lot to say. One time Dad was headed out the door to go to work and she pointed her finger and said, “No. No. No. Don’t go anywhere!“

Jody was very seldom crabby, always happy and she wasted no time in spreading that joy to everyone around her. Jody’s favorite place was to be perched on the lap of Mom or Dad or playing with her toys spread out all over the floor. Jody was always affectionate, wanting hugs and “moochies” as she called smooches on the cheek.

At around two, Jody’s illness began to attack her. It took a beautiful, innocent child and put her through untold pain and suffering,

I know that through all of that she was not afraid. She had the heart and spirit of lion. She never gave up; time after countless time, she would open her eyes and there would come that smile. Jody lost her speech, but never was at a loss for words. She could say more with a look or a half smile than most people do yakking all day long.

After numerous doctor, hospital, and specialist visits, we were given the news of her illness. I remember that moment frozen in time … it was as if the entire world stopped. It was in that brief moment we both knew that we must make the very most of the time we had remaining together and not dwell on the despair of all of the things that would never be.

Jody was not expected to live more than three or so - but she had too many things to do and stories to tell, so she cruised by that birthday and over two more decades of birthdays, Christmases and millions of smiles and hugs. Jody was well-liked by other kids; once when she was being wheeled into her classroom at Handicare, one of the children yelled, “Hey everybody, Jody’s here” and all the kids cheered.

Two of the biggest joys in her life were her two little brothers, Joey and Sammy. She would just beam with joy when they would sit next to her and when they began to get older she’d love to listen to them running through the house and playing together. The two of them would start laughing and Jody would laugh right along with them. She would listen intently to everything they did and they would include her as often as they could. The three of them loved watching Saturday morning cartoons and The Three Stooges.

Joe and Sam did without a lot of things that other kids had, did and took for granted … and they never once complained or were resentful of the way things were. That shows a special kind of love and a special kind of family.

As the years went by and the boys grew up into strong and healthy, Jody’s health slowly and steadily declined. She would have long stretches where she was fairly stable and then would become so very ill.

Many times we were sure the end was near and then she would open those sparkling blue eyes and stretch just like nothing had happened at all.

Once she was in the hospital with her usual bout of pneumonia and lapsed into a coma; this went on for 8 days. One Dr. came in, examined her and just shook his head. Later that night Jody’s eyes popped open and she was refreshed from her cat- nap.

People over the years have commented, ”I don’t know how you do it. ”This always struck me as odd. My thoughts would always be: How could you even think of turning your back on someone who needs you that much?

It was always our promise to Jody that she would always live at home with her family and I think she found comfort in knowing that.

But, no one person can take the credit for caring for this wonderful young woman. It has taken an army of doctors, nurses, teachers, aides, pharmacists, friends, and family over the years to maintain Jody at home, and we could never begin to thank you enough.

Jody always kept her head held high and never seemed to be afraid; she has truly been my inspiration on many occasions. When things were gloomy and seemed hopeless, just one smile and a hug was all I needed to go on. Jody will always be my hero. I love her and will treasure the time we had together.

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com