Just Me - AmeliaJake, The Peanut Butter Cafe & Roadhouse

A nice surprise

November 9, 2014 AmeliaJake

I wasn’t bored, but I was feeling guilty that I had not done much today, which is, in a way, worse than being bored, and then I noticed a little lit-up brown light on my screen up where it says, “Howdy, AmeliaJake.”

I don’t know; maybe it had been there for days, but now I had seen it and I clicked on it and found alerts to comments on this blog and, gracious me, a comment on a comment I had left on another blog.

That blog post was about things going awry, to put it mildly and the author’s brother had commented it could have been worse and went on to describe tongue in cheek some details. I noted that I thought his account left me wanting more and supplied some possibilities.

I’m going to stop right here and say his comment was about a pump breaking while cattle are nudging you and your backhoe operator has imbibed and it is very cold. My reply concerned the cattle getting loose and whatnot.

He, a rancher – a real one out in Colorado – told me what really would have happened.

This is what he explained:

Nah, it would have been better if 12 yearling bulls got out, ran across the highway to a trailer park and started scratching their backs on the trailers. Moving them up to a foot up and down and sideways leading the groggy occupants to believe that they were experiencing an earthquake. Only to run out of their trailers, some barely clothed as this was nearly midnight, into the ‘dirty dozen’ bulls having the time of their life. Then after having their fun, leaving behind green graffiti on cars, trailers, and some on the ground, turned as a herd and ran back across the road into the pen they had recently vacated. They were so unruly that the only way they would stand for a lecture from a deputy was to be fed while he spoke to them about their obnoxious behavior. He did not mean for it to be humorous, but he had a hard time keeping from laughing during the lecture, especially when he asked if they had any questions. The one who did of course spoke with his mouth full, leading to an addition to their curriculum about manners around people.

Maybe he, his clever blogging sister, my innovative husband and I should write a blog about our “drive” around America. And I’m not talking the biggest ball of twine.

I don’t feel bored and my mind is off feeling guilty.

***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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