Just Me - AmeliaJake, The Peanut Butter Cafe & Roadhouse

On the sofa on Black Friday

November 23, 2012 AmeliaJake 1 Comment

I am comfy. I just looked on the news and saw shoppers looking as if they were in a mosh pit. I read that there was a big scramble for Black & Decker waffle makers; I don’t know if the shoppers emerged looking like waffles themselves or not.

I think if I were younger – much, much younger, I might entertain the thought of being part of an organized group to hit the stores and get some major bargains . . . a festive, youthful adventure with most of the fun being in the planning of the operation, the surgical precision – – – you know, the Special Ops kind of excitement. The aim would be to get some nice presents for people with a savings in money but an increase in effort and clever planning.

I don’t know, though, if the experience would leave me overall disappointed and dismayed by the rough rudeness of the crowd. I suspect a lot of the seekers of bargains might not be all that filled with the festive mood of the event. I MIGHT GET PUNCHED IN THE NOSE!

But, since I am “old” (Summer’s definition), I am going to stay on my sofa and be happy with the ongoing book sales on Kindle – and the opportunity to download samples. But, wait, I could put on a green eye shade and recruit young people for a gang of shoppers; uh, using the word “gang” is already casting doubts on this being a festive, goodwill endeavor. The green eye shade is tempting, though.

Der Bingle and I did benefit about four years ago on Black Friday; late in the day, we had to go to Wal-Mart for something and while walking through a main aisle, noticed that 19″ unknown brand flat screen TV’s were still in a small stack – despite the big markdown. Der Bingle didn’t have a TV at the Ohio Redoubt then and we decided to buy one. Well, four years later it is still going strong; he later got a good deal on a 32″ one with bonus points and I inherited the Sansui one. I still don’t know anything about the brand, but it works fine and takes up way less space in my special nook.

Maybe I’ll wander over to Wal-Mart late this afternoon . . . you never know. Then, again, I may waffle on whether to go or not.

***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.

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